Check here for Illinois election results

By Brad Weisenstein

11/05/2024

No Election Day noise. Just results for the issues close to home for Illinois' and Chicago's freedom-minded voters.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, pensions, property taxes

4 ways Chicago’s 2025 budget fails, plus hikes property taxes

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

11/01/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2025 budget proposes a nearly $1 billion deficit. High personnel and pension costs have Johnson breaking his campaign promise not to hike property taxes. Plus there’s no plan for long-term fixes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance

By Patrick Andriesen

11/01/2024

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or more than 1-in-7 – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in July 2024. One-quarter of county offices reported more than 1-in-5 residents received food help.

TAGS: SNAP

Fewer than 1-in-3 Chicago Public Schools students read at grade level

By Hannah Schmid

11/01/2024

Chicago Public Schools third- through eighth-grade state test scores increased in 2024, with reading finally surpassing 2019 levels. But for Chicago’s 11th grade students, both reading and math remained below pre-pandemic levels.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago mayor, Chicago Teachers Union want ‘millionaire tax’ money

By Dylan Sharkey

11/01/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is banking on $300 million in new property taxes from residents in his latest budget. He and his former coworkers at the Chicago Teachers Union want a progressive state income tax to deliver more money to them, not to property tax relief.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Cracking down on fare evasion can help deter Chicago transit crime

By Chris Coffey

10/31/2024

Washington, D.C., and New York City have cracked down on fare evasion because it is linked to serious and violent crime. The Chicago Transit Authority should do the same to curb its growing crime problem.

TAGS: CTA: Chicago Transit Authority

Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget breaks property tax promise

By Lauren Zuar, Ravi Mishra

10/30/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered his 2025 budget Oct. 30, including a nearly $1 billion deficit, runaway spending and low revenues that have him breaking his campaign promise not to raise property taxes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, property taxes

Unemployment high in 13 of 15 Illinois metro job markets

By Ravi Mishra

10/30/2024

The statewide Illinois job market outpaced the national average. But 13 of 15 metro areas continued to have higher unemployment rates than the U.S. average.

Tax question on November ballot could open door for retirement tax

By Patrick Andriesen

10/29/2024

Implementing the “millionaire” tax would give lawmakers the power to tax retirement income. Every state with a progressive tax also taxes retirement income.

Chicago Teachers Union school board spending surpasses $1 million

By Jon Josko, Dylan Sharkey

10/25/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union has spent $1 million on their endorsed candidates for Chicago Board of Education races.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago

Check here for Illinois election results

4 ways Chicago’s 2025 budget fails, plus hikes property taxes

Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance

Fewer than 1-in-3 Chicago Public Schools students read at grade level

Chicago mayor, Chicago Teachers Union want ‘millionaire tax’ money

Cracking down on fare evasion can help deter Chicago transit crime

Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget breaks property tax promise

Unemployment high in 13 of 15 Illinois metro job markets

Tax question on November ballot could open door for retirement tax

Chicago Teachers Union school board spending surpasses $1 million

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