Chicago Teachers Union funds 3 in 5 Chicago aldermen, with big bucks to Socialists

By Perry Zhao

08/01/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union has funneled over $850,000 to the political committees of 30 of the 50 current Chicago aldermen since 2010. Seven Socialists received the most money.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois property taxes at $5K are higher than 5 states combined

By Patrick Andriesen

08/01/2024

Illinoisans paid the second-highest property tax rate in the U.S. in 2022, with the median Illinois homeowner spending more than taxpayers in Alabama, West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana and South Carolina combined. See how your county compares.

TAGS: property taxes, taxes

Average Illinois property tax bill rises $756 in 5 years

By Patrick Andriesen

08/01/2024

Homeowners in half of Illinois’ 102 counties saw their property taxes grow faster than inflation from 2018 to 2022. The median bill rose $756 in that time.

TAGS: housing, taxes

Chicago Teachers Union demands $543K property tax break on union HQ

By Patrick Andriesen

07/31/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union is seeking a $543k property tax cut that would take about $301K from the schools where its members teach. CTU’s also making over $10 billion in contract demands, which would certainly drive up Chicagoans’ tax bills.

TAGS: Chicago Teachers Union, taxes

Illinois housing least affordable in Midwest

By Ravi Mishra

07/31/2024

It’s tougher to pay for shelter in Illinois than anywhere else in the Midwest, especially if you’re living in poverty. Illinois needs another 113,000 units and nearly 290,000 affordable rental homes to help its low-income families.

Illinois 3rd worst in U.S. for new construction

By Benjamin O'Donnell

07/30/2024

Illinois’ rate of new housing is the third lowest of any state, driving up prices for residents. Fixing that would make housing more affordable and help Illinoisans stay.

TAGS: construction, housing

Unemployment tops U.S. average in all but 2 Illinois areas during June

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

07/30/2024

Despite some growth, high unemployment remains a persistent issue in Illinois with 13 of 15 metropolitan areas showing higher rates of unemployment than the national average.

TAGS: jobs

Vallas: 10 things CTU doesn’t want voters to know about school board races

By Paul Vallas

07/30/2024

With 10 Chicago Public Schools Board of Education seats on the Nov. 5 ballot up for grabs, the battle is on for the Chicago Teachers Union to take full control of the city and district.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, school

1 in 3 Chicago violent crimes is a robbery, up 21% in a year

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

07/25/2024

Chicagoans reported 7.6% more violent crime from July 2023 through June 2024. Residents experienced a 21% increase in robberies during those 12 months, with robberies becoming one-third of all violent crimes.

TAGS: crime

Chicago Public Schools faces $500M deficit despite $10B budget

By Bryce Hill

07/25/2024

Chicago Public Schools’ reliance on temporary federal pandemic funds has left the district grappling with deficits even before factoring in a new Chicago Teachers Union contract. $505M deficit + $10B in demands = taxpayer trouble

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education

Chicago

Chicago Teachers Union funds 3 in 5 Chicago aldermen, with big bucks to Socialists

Illinois property taxes at $5K are higher than 5 states combined

Average Illinois property tax bill rises $756 in 5 years

Chicago Teachers Union demands $543K property tax break on union HQ

Illinois housing least affordable in Midwest

Illinois 3rd worst in U.S. for new construction

Unemployment tops U.S. average in all but 2 Illinois areas during June

Vallas: 10 things CTU doesn’t want voters to know about school board races

1 in 3 Chicago violent crimes is a robbery, up 21% in a year

Chicago Public Schools faces $500M deficit despite $10B budget

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