9 years of decline: Expect Chicago to be No. 4 behind Houston by 2035

By Bryce Hill

05/16/2024

Chicago lost 8,208 residents in 2023, the third-largest decline of any city in the nation. At this rate, the Second City will drop from No. 3 to No. 4 by 2035

TAGS: Chicago, population

Chicago Teachers Union cuts class to lobby, costing taxpayers up to $141K

By Patrick Andriesen, Bryce Hill

05/15/2024

Chicagoans could end up paying between $93K and $141K to cover the cost of substitutes for the roughly 650 Chicago Public School teachers and staff who lobbied lawmakers May 15 in Springfield.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union in Springfield seeking more cash when they already get a lot

By Hannah Schmid

05/15/2024

Chicago Public Schools teachers traveled May 15 to Springfield for a “day of action” to ask for $1.1 billion in additional state funding. CPS already spends the second-most per student of Illinois’ 10 largest school districts.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Recap: 1 year of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, watch out in Year 2

By Dylan Sharkey

05/15/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson took office on May 15, 2023. One year later, none of the $800 million in new taxes have passed. But expect a big taxpayer impact during his second year: he’s negotiating a contract with his former employer, the Chicago Teachers Union.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Vallas: Mayor Johnson’s 1st year delivers the mayhem he promised

By Paul Vallas

05/14/2024

Mayor Brandon Johnson hits the one-year mark May 15, showing voters he is exactly who he said he was. That’s turning out to be bad for Chicago. Here’s how.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

$30K for pizza? No wonder nearly one-third of workers reject SEIU HCII union

By Mailee Smith

05/09/2024

Not even one-quarter of SEIU HCII’s spending is on representing workers – which should be its main priority. Yet dozens of its own employees make six-figure salaries and it has increased its spending on politics by nearly 9%. Oh, yeah: plus spent over $30,000 at a pizza parlor.

TAGS: SEIU: Service Employees International Union

Chicago Teachers Union cutting class to lobby Springfield lawmakers

By Dylan Sharkey

05/09/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union is directing members to skip class during the school day to lobby state lawmakers in Springfield. Union members will be seeking more taxes at taxpayer expense.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Red-light cameras take another $500M from Illinois drivers in 5 years

By Patrick Andriesen

05/09/2024

Local governments generated $500 million from red-light camera tickets since 2019, with Chicago alone collecting $223.8 million. Total since 2008: $1.56 billion.

TAGS: red light cameras

Chicago Kilwins owner named small businessperson of the year

By Dylan Sharkey

05/08/2024

Jackie Jackson has repeatedly helped people understand what it means to be an entrepreneur in Chicago, from crime to the pandemic to taxes. But being able to create jobs keeps her going and is why she was named businessperson of the year.

TAGS: small business

Phoenix’s building permit privatization could help reverse Illinois’ housing woes

By Joe Tabor

05/07/2024

Phoenix, Arizona, established a program to streamline building permits for certain projects. It has seen results. It could help Illinois’ drop in housing permits.

TAGS: affordable housing

Chicago

9 years of decline: Expect Chicago to be No. 4 behind Houston by 2035

Chicago Teachers Union cuts class to lobby, costing taxpayers up to $141K

Chicago Teachers Union in Springfield seeking more cash when they already get a lot

Recap: 1 year of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, watch out in Year 2

Vallas: Mayor Johnson’s 1st year delivers the mayhem he promised

$30K for pizza? No wonder nearly one-third of workers reject SEIU HCII union

Chicago Teachers Union cutting class to lobby Springfield lawmakers

Red-light cameras take another $500M from Illinois drivers in 5 years

Chicago Kilwins owner named small businessperson of the year

Phoenix’s building permit privatization could help reverse Illinois’ housing woes

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