Post-mortem: What’s in Illinois’ stopgap budget?

By Heather Weiner

07/01/2016

The stopgap budget passed by the General Assembly provides six months worth of funding for government services such as road construction, as well as a full K-12 education budget for the 2016-2017 school year, property-tax-raising authority for Chicago, and more state funding of pensions for Chicago Public Schools teachers.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, Chicago, education, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan

Gov. Bruce Rauner signs stopgap budget

By Hilary Gowins

06/30/2016

The stopgap budget compromise reached between the General Assembly and Gov. Bruce Rauner will fund government operations for the next six months and ensure that schools open on time in the fall.

5 reasons why Illinois politicians should reject a Chicago Public Schools bailout

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

06/28/2016

Until CPS passes necessary spending and pension reforms, giving any additional money to the system will only reward officials’ mismanagement and reckless behavior.

TAGS: budget, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, Mike Madigan, municipal pensions, pensions, Rahm Emanuel

Brexit and Chicago’s potential bankruptcy

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

06/25/2016

Pension funds aren’t immune to the volatility of the stock market. Even before Brexit, Moody’s warned that low investment returns are already putting Chicago’s pension funds at risk. A major stock market correction or another recession just might put Chicago and CPS over the edge if their already-underfunded pension systems collapse.

TAGS: bankruptcy, Chicago, municipal pensions, pensions, Rahm Emanuel

Pensions over people

By Austin Berg

06/23/2016

The pension problem was created and has been fueled by weak politicians – men and women who decided their next elections were more important than the next generation.

TAGS: budget, pensions

Madigan holds up budget to push bailout of Chicago Public Schools

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

06/23/2016

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s insistence that Chicago Public Schools receive more than its fair share of state education funding is putting any stopgap budget deal at risk.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Mike Madigan, Rahm Emanuel

Illinois needs a taxpayer bill of rights

06/23/2016

Illinoisans need a taxpayer bill of rights so that politicians must ask permission from voters if they want to raise taxes.

Chicago passes new rules on Uber and Lyft

By Austin Berg

06/22/2016

The city will require rideshare drivers to complete an online course before hitting the road, and will allow ridesharing platforms such as Uber and Lyft to continue conducting their own background checks.

TAGS: Chicago, Lyft, Rahm Emanuel, regulations, rideshare, Uber

Chicago’s new Airbnb ordinance greets visitors to the city with a 21 percent tax bill

By Chris Lentino

06/22/2016

The city’s new ordinance will punish visitors to the city with a 21 percent hotel tax bill.

TAGS: Airbnb, regulations

Instead of whacking Uber, Evanston looks to lift burden on taxis

By Austin Berg

06/21/2016

The city of Evanston offers a path forward for governments to level the playing field between traditional taxis and ridesharing.

TAGS: collaborative economy, Lyft, rideshare, Uber

Chicago

Post-mortem: What’s in Illinois’ stopgap budget?

Gov. Bruce Rauner signs stopgap budget

5 reasons why Illinois politicians should reject a Chicago Public Schools bailout

Brexit and Chicago’s potential bankruptcy

Pensions over people

Madigan holds up budget to push bailout of Chicago Public Schools

Illinois needs a taxpayer bill of rights

Chicago passes new rules on Uber and Lyft

Chicago’s new Airbnb ordinance greets visitors to the city with a 21 percent tax bill

Instead of whacking Uber, Evanston looks to lift burden on taxis

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