Chicago Teachers Union can strike after March 7

By Mailee Smith

03/06/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union entered a 30-day “cooling off” period following its rejection of a neutral fact-finder’s contract recommendations. The 30 days are up. The union can go on strike after March 7.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Pritzker pushes $13B pension benefit hike in his budget

By Bryce Hill

03/06/2025

Newer state employees would get a $13 billion pension benefit boost if Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal passes. What should be a minor fix is being used to create an even bigger Illinois pension mess.

TAGS: budget, Illinois, JB Pritzker

Chicago mayor adds 50 speed cameras to put $11.4M in his budget

By Patrick Andriesen

03/05/2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to add 50 new speed cameras to city streets during the coming year to add $11.4 million from fines and fees to his deficit budget.

Illinois is Midwest’s biggest people loser

By Bryce Hill

03/05/2025

Most neighboring states are gaining residents from people moving across state lines. Even of the states losing people, Illinois is losing at a significantly faster rate.

Illinois’ So-Called ‘Millionaire Tax’ Makes All Taxpayers a Target

By Matheus Cosso

03/05/2025

The “millionaire tax” will increase Illinois’ tax burden without necessarily increasing public funds. Revenue intended for education may fall short of expectations and will likely be absorbed by school administration before reaching students.

TAGS: millionaire tax

Teachers unions pushing bills to damage Illinois charter schools

By Hannah Schmid

03/03/2025

Bills filed in the Illinois General Assembly would lay the groundwork to close charter schools or place more restrictions on them. Illinois has a history of restricting charter schools at the behest of teachers unions.

TAGS: charter schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Testimony: Chicago leaders agree to boost housing supply, affordability

By Josh Bandoch, LyLena Estabine

03/03/2025

Chicago City Council members heard from Illinois Policy Institute researchers as they considered allowing more commercial space to be converted to housing. The council then unanimously voted for the change that will boost supply and affordability.

Testimony: Chicago pension systems’ dire finances cannot afford benefit boost

By Bryce Hill

02/27/2025

Members of the Illinois Senate Pensions Committee heard from pension administrators and government unions about the need for more benefits from retirement systems that are already broken. The Illinois Policy Institute was there, too, to represent taxpayers’ interests.

Illinois ranks 48th for people moving out, loses over 56K residents

By Bryce Hill

02/27/2025

Illinois ability to keep its residents is third from the bottom. Only California and New York have more people moving to other states.

TAGS: outmigration, population

4 of 5 top states Americans moving to have flat or no income tax

By Bryce Hill

02/26/2025

Of the states most Americans are moving to, 4 of 5 have a flat or no income tax. The states losing the most residents? There again, 4 of 5 have progressive taxes. Illinois’ flat tax is an advantage it should keep.

Chicago

Chicago Teachers Union can strike after March 7

Pritzker pushes $13B pension benefit hike in his budget

Chicago mayor adds 50 speed cameras to put $11.4M in his budget

Illinois is Midwest’s biggest people loser

Illinois’ So-Called ‘Millionaire Tax’ Makes All Taxpayers a Target

Teachers unions pushing bills to damage Illinois charter schools

Testimony: Chicago leaders agree to boost housing supply, affordability

Testimony: Chicago pension systems’ dire finances cannot afford benefit boost

Illinois ranks 48th for people moving out, loses over 56K residents

4 of 5 top states Americans moving to have flat or no income tax

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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