Chicago violent crime trends up as arrests trend down

By Patrick Andriesen

01/29/2025

Chicago residents reported 28,443 violent crimes during 2024. Attacks and threats were both up, with aggravated assaults hitting a 20-year high.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

01/28/2025

Published Jan. 28, 2025 Illinois Policy Institute Center for Poverty Solutions, in partnership with the Archbridge Institute By Joshua Bandoch, Ph.D., head of policy, Illinois Policy Institute and Justin Callais, Ph.D., chief economist, Archbridge Institute EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A low-income person’s ability to move up in society is worse in Illinois than in any other Midwestern...

Chicago’s hidden housing solution: How additional dwelling unit expansion can make city more affordable

By LyLena Estabine

01/23/2025

Published Jan. 23, 2025 Chicago’s 2020 Additional Dwelling Unit Ordinance, while well-intentioned, has stifled development. Despite 71% of Chicagoans being in favor of putting additional dwelling units on existing residential lots – higher than the national average – restrictive and inequitable regulations have ensured very few are built.1 Only 44% of pre-approved applications have received...

Amendment would allow Illinoisans to recall state leaders, local politicians

By Dylan Sharkey

01/22/2025

Illinoisans would have the chance to recall state and local politicians under a proposal in Springfield.

TAGS: corruption, Mike Madigan

3 ways to balance Chicago’s next budget without tax hikes

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

01/20/2025

Chicago might have just avoided a property tax hike, but city leaders couldn’t figure out how to pass the 2025 budget without other tax and fee increases. Here’s what the city should do to avoid repeating the same budgeting mistakes next year.

TAGS: Chicago

Vallas: What new school board members should know about Chicago Public Schools

By Paul Vallas

01/16/2025

Chicago’s first elected school board was just sworn into office. Here’s what members should know about what the Chicago Teachers Union has done to damage Chicago Public Schools and the city’s children, plus eight steps to undo the damage.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Proposed law would let Chicagoans recall Mayor Johnson in special election

By Mailee Smith

01/14/2025

House Bill 1084 would provide relief to the 70% of voters disapproving of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson by creating a process to recall the mayor.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

How many gang crimes occurred in your Chicago neighborhood?

By Patrick Andriesen

01/13/2025

How often did gang crimes happen in your Chicago neighborhood? Here’s what the Chicago Police data shows.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

How government unions work against interests of private-sector unions, taxpayers

By Mailee Smith

01/08/2025

Government unions posed threats to public welfare that were recognized by founders of the labor movement and by progressive icon Franklin D. Roosevelt. Those threats have become reality, with government union power dominating – especially in Illinois.

Nation gains 227K jobs as Illinois loses 3.4K in November

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

01/07/2025

Job growth was healthy across the nation in November with a gain of 227,000. Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost 3,400, with Peoria losing at the fastest rate.

Chicago

Chicago violent crime trends up as arrests trend down

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

Chicago’s hidden housing solution: How additional dwelling unit expansion can make city more affordable

Amendment would allow Illinoisans to recall state leaders, local politicians

3 ways to balance Chicago’s next budget without tax hikes

Vallas: What new school board members should know about Chicago Public Schools

Proposed law would let Chicagoans recall Mayor Johnson in special election

How many gang crimes occurred in your Chicago neighborhood?

How government unions work against interests of private-sector unions, taxpayers

Nation gains 227K jobs as Illinois loses 3.4K in November

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