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

Editorial: State lawmakers in Springfield pass bill to cut off competition in 78 races

By Hilary Gowins

05/06/2024

Why did SB 2412 need to pass on May 2, in the middle of the election cycle, weeks after the primary election but still well ahead of the November general election? Many candidates had already started the complicated process of petition gathering and paperwork under the old rules. What justifies changing those rules in the middle of the game?

TAGS: election laws

Chicago Teachers Union demands 130M free rides

By Jerry Barmore

05/06/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union has 142 pages of demands for its next contract. They include free mass transit for all students and employees in the Chicago Public Schools. That’s as many as 130.3 million free CTA tickets that could cost as much as $122.5 million.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Violent crime surges 26% at Chicago Public Schools, arrests hit record low

By Patrick Andriesen

05/03/2024

Chicago Public Schools saw violent crime increase 26% in 2023 and arrests hit a record low of 8%. Now thanks to pressure from the Chicago Teachers Union and Mayor Brandon Johnson, police are being removed from schools.

Stacy Davis Gates pays $1,533 in Indiana back taxes, penalties – late

By Dylan Sharkey

05/02/2024

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates paid off $1,533 in back property taxes and penalties on her Indiana house after authorities revoked a credit reserved for owner occupants.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Chicago Teachers Union wants schools to shelter homeless

By Hannah Schmid

05/02/2024

A 142-page leaked set of Chicago Teachers Union demands includes creation of dormitories for unaccompanied youth and use of schools as sheltering places, all of which fall outside the normal scope of bargaining.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

CTU demands partisan rallies so it can electioneer students

By Dylan Sharkey

05/01/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union’s 142-page list of demands includes codifying their most recent political rally. They took students out of class, hit them with propaganda and then marched them to the polls to vote.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Editorial: Chicago Teachers Union leaders flip-flop on taxpayer-funded stadiums

By Hilary Gowins

04/30/2024

Chicago Teachers Union leadership opposed publicly funded stadiums in 2013. That’s changed: Chicago’s mayor is pushing a Bears football stadium deal needing billions in tax subsidies. And his pals in CTU leadership have yet to speak out about it.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago Bears, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago

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

Editorial: State lawmakers in Springfield pass bill to cut off competition in 78 races

Chicago Teachers Union demands 130M free rides

Violent crime surges 26% at Chicago Public Schools, arrests hit record low

Stacy Davis Gates pays $1,533 in Indiana back taxes, penalties – late

Chicago Teachers Union wants schools to shelter homeless

CTU demands partisan rallies so it can electioneer students

Editorial: Chicago Teachers Union leaders flip-flop on taxpayer-funded stadiums

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