Nearly 9 in 10 layoffs in November from businesses closing

By Patrick Andriesen

12/31/2024

Nearly 9 in 10 of the Illinois job losses announced in November resulted from businesses closing. Chicago led the state for layoffs, followed by Rockford.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

4,098 Chicagoans killed in gang crime in 20 years

By Patrick Andriesen

12/30/2024

Chicago gang crime declined to its lowest level in the past two decades in 2023, but the numbers may be more about gangs fracturing and police losing their gang database. Still, more than 1-in-5 homicides were suspected of being gang related.

Bill would boost transparency of Illinois finances

By Joe Tabor

12/27/2024

Illinois House Bill 5896 would require more detailed reporting of how Springfield spends taxpayer money. It improves transparency, which is a step toward fiscal restraint.

Where on Chicago Transit Authority are you most likely to be crime victim?

By Patrick Andriesen

12/26/2024

Chicago Transit Authority Green Line riders were the most likely to be crime victims for the 12 months ending in September. The most dangerous CTA stop had nearly 7 crimes per 100,000 riders compared to 1.3 systemwide.

TAGS: CTA: Chicago Transit Authority

Madigan tops naughty list of Illinois’ federal corruption targets in 2024

By Patrick Andriesen

12/24/2024

The nation’s longest-serving legislative speaker, a woman who called herself “super mayor” and a collection of other self-serving public servants are among the highest-profile corruption cases in decades. Here’s the naughty list for 2024.

TAGS: corruption

Chicago Teachers Union took over Acero charter schools to stifle parents’ rights

By Mailee Smith

12/23/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union played a long game with Acero charter schools: unionizing them, undermining them and then taking them over. Now students and parents are left without the charter schools they chose.

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

Chicago shorts pensions by over $440M a year despite $2.3B hike in spending

By Bryce Hill

12/23/2024

Chicago’s public pension contributions remain lower than what actuaries say is needed to pay benefits despite a nearly six-fold increase in spending since 2014. Pension problems are driving high property taxes ever higher.

Illinois holiday shoppers pay sales taxes as high as 11.5%

By Jerry Barmore

12/22/2024

Sales taxes up to 11.5% will greet some Cook County shoppers this holiday season. Illinois averages 8.85% in sales taxes statewide, slightly more than last year and the seventh highest nationwide.

TAGS: sales tax

Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union is no friend to other city unions

By Paul Vallas

12/21/2024

A current dispute with SEIU and militant stances against police are just two reasons other city unions have reason to believe the Chicago Teachers Union cares little about solidarity and a lot about its own interests.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Watch those holiday movies now: Chicago’s amusement tax rises $12.9M in 2025

By Jerry Barmore

12/20/2024

In 2015 Chicago became the first city to add its 9% amusement tax when you streamed your favorite holiday shows or Christmas carols. It was one of the nation’s highest. But in 2025 it increases to 11% as the city tries to squeeze another $12.9 million from viewers.

Chicago

Nearly 9 in 10 layoffs in November from businesses closing

4,098 Chicagoans killed in gang crime in 20 years

Bill would boost transparency of Illinois finances

Where on Chicago Transit Authority are you most likely to be crime victim?

Madigan tops naughty list of Illinois’ federal corruption targets in 2024

Chicago Teachers Union took over Acero charter schools to stifle parents’ rights

Chicago shorts pensions by over $440M a year despite $2.3B hike in spending

Illinois holiday shoppers pay sales taxes as high as 11.5%

Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union is no friend to other city unions

Watch those holiday movies now: Chicago’s amusement tax rises $12.9M in 2025

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