Chicago school spending nearly doubles as scores drop

By Kurtis Karg

07/12/2024

As Chicago Public Schools spending per student continues to rise, test scores and proficiency levels among students continue to drop.

TAGS: education

3-in-10 seats are empty at Chicago Public Schools

By Hannah Schmid

07/12/2024

Hundreds of Chicago Public Schools buildings have a space-use problem – they’re too empty. Nearly 60% of schools are underutilized while 5% are overcrowded. Only 37% are at ideal capacity. The Chicago Teachers Union wants to add staff to the empty schools.

TAGS: education

Apprenticeships offer economic opportunity for Illinoisans

By Chris Coffey

07/10/2024

College degrees are just one potential path to prosperity. Apprenticeships are a viable alternative Illinois’ education system should embrace.

How much does your town make from marijuana tax?

By Kurtis Karg

07/10/2024

Cannabis tax revenue is stalling statewide in Illinois, but communities still see a tax benefit. See how much your town took in during the past 12 months.

TAGS: cannabis, tax

Chicago, Evanston leaders push for noncitizens to vote in local elections

By Chris Coffey

07/09/2024

The surge of migrants to Chicago and Illinois has made noncitizen voting rights an issue. Chicago and Evanston leaders wanted noncitizens to vote in local elections. Illinois Senators wanted to prevent them from voting. Neither side has secured any changes.

TAGS: elections

Can noncitizens vote in Illinois? Depends on the election

By Chris Coffey

07/09/2024

The influx of migrants to Chicago and Illinois presents a potential voting bloc ahead of the 2024 election. Some politicians have tried to get them the vote. Others have tried to prevent it.

TAGS: election

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

07/09/2024

Published July 9, 2024 America is facing a housing affordability crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 73% of Americans said the average person could not afford a home in their area, and 69% were worried about their children and grandchildren being able to afford a home. That’s unfair. Everyone deserves a good roof over their...

Vallas: Chicago has too few police, pays too much in police overtime

By Paul Vallas

07/03/2024

Chicago's violent crime is up. A record $300 million was spent on police overtime last year. It's simple: too few cops leads to too much crime and requires a very wasteful, inefficient fix. Chicago needs more officers on patrol.

Illinois’ 15 metro areas all see unemployment higher than U.S. rate

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

07/03/2024

Despite some growth, high unemployment remains an issue in Illinois. All 15 metropolitan areas showed higher rates of unemployment than the national average.

TAGS: employment

New John Deere layoffs follow Illinois losing 1,124 jobs in May

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

07/02/2024

Declining demand has John Deere planning 600 layoffs, including 280 in Illinois, by the end of August. Illinois already had companies planning to cut 1,124 jobs in May, hitting janitorial services providers, collection agencies and packaging industries.

TAGS: jobs

Chicago

Chicago school spending nearly doubles as scores drop

3-in-10 seats are empty at Chicago Public Schools

Apprenticeships offer economic opportunity for Illinoisans

How much does your town make from marijuana tax?

Chicago, Evanston leaders push for noncitizens to vote in local elections

Can noncitizens vote in Illinois? Depends on the election

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Vallas: Chicago has too few police, pays too much in police overtime

Illinois’ 15 metro areas all see unemployment higher than U.S. rate

New John Deere layoffs follow Illinois losing 1,124 jobs in May

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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