Illinois home prices up nearly 50% since 2018, inventory low

By LyLena Estabine, Jon Josko

08/26/2025

Restrictive zoning laws and policy barriers have prevented new housing construction, driving prices up and Illinois families out.

Other major cities provide a roadmap for Chicago’s Inaugural City Charter Commission

By Joe Tabor, Rich Witzel

08/22/2025

The City of Chicago needs a city charter that will bring some certainty to city government. It should learn from the experiences of other cities when choosing the people who will draft that charter.

How Chicago Teachers Union acts like Illinois’ newest political party

By Lilly Rossi

08/22/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union and its president want a say about fixing Chicago’s transit and health care problems, rather than focusing on its education problem. CTU’s answer to every problem? More taxes from Chicagoans and the rest of the state.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Public Schools has same credit rating as Colombia, Vietnam

By Mailee Smith

08/21/2025

The Chicago Public Schools board is set to vote on the district’s 2025-2026 budget on Aug. 28. It must close a $734 million budget hole, but the district’s finances are a mess.

Chicago printer LSC cuts 180 jobs of 444 statewide losses in July

By Patrick Andriesen

08/20/2025

Illinois companies announced 444 mass layoffs in July. LSC Communications Transport in Bolingbrook, also known as Enru Logistics, accounted for over one-third of job losses.

Chicago businesses fall to 10-year low, Mag Mile down by half

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

08/20/2025

Chicago had 44,840 licensed businesses operating in the city last year, fewer than any year in the past decade and 17% less than during 2015. The Magnificent Mile reported the largest drop, with active business licenses falling by over half.

Back to school in Chicago: fewer than 1-in-3 students read at grade level

By Hannah Schmid

08/18/2025

Students returned to their Chicago public schools on Aug. 18. The most recent test data available for Chicago students shows there’s a lot of room for improvement in the new school year.

Cook County homeowners paid $2 billion extra in property taxes because of appeal process

By LyLena Estabine, Cameron Jasper

08/15/2025

When a Cook County business successfully appeals their property taxes, the county just shifts that burden to homeowners. This meant an extra $2 billion in residential property taxes instead of a lower property tax levy.

Illinois needs a limitation on special property tax district extensions

By LyLena Estabine, Cameron Jasper

08/15/2025

Tax increment financing districts divert public property tax dollars with little oversight, letting cities keep special taxing powers for decades, often misusing funds and shortchanging taxpayers.

TAGS: TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Chicago retirement fund for first responders at greater risk

By LyLena Estabine

08/14/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law adding $11.1 billion in new liabilities to Chicago’s fire and police pensions, already the worst-funded in the nation. These “sweeteners” hurt retirement security more than they help.

Chicago

Illinois home prices up nearly 50% since 2018, inventory low

Other major cities provide a roadmap for Chicago’s Inaugural City Charter Commission

How Chicago Teachers Union acts like Illinois’ newest political party

Chicago Public Schools has same credit rating as Colombia, Vietnam

Chicago printer LSC cuts 180 jobs of 444 statewide losses in July

Chicago businesses fall to 10-year low, Mag Mile down by half

Back to school in Chicago: fewer than 1-in-3 students read at grade level

Cook County homeowners paid $2 billion extra in property taxes because of appeal process

Illinois needs a limitation on special property tax district extensions

Chicago retirement fund for first responders at greater risk

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students