Illinois cities could significantly speed up new home, business construction

By Patrick Andriesen

04/09/2024

Illinois cities and villages could reduce from months to just days the time it takes to issue permits for new residential and commercial construction. Phoenix saw housing units increase 10% in a decade by cutting costly delays.

TAGS: affordable housing, zoning

Eradicating poverty through the dignity of work

By Matt Paprocki

04/09/2024

Illinois Policy Institute President Matt Paprocki told members of congress how the Center for Poverty Solutions is working to end poverty by boosting work opportunities. He said human dignity requires work rather than dependence.

What you should know about the Chicago Teachers Union

By Brad Weisenstein

04/04/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union put its lobbyist in the Chicago mayor's office and is now negotiating its next contract with him. What taxpayers should know about CTU, how it's impacted education, its leadership and its ambitions to be the political machine running the nation's third-largest city.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education

Vallas: Funding should aid students, not boost Chicago Teachers Union job count

By Paul Vallas

03/28/2024

Chicago Public Schools is changing its funding formula. It should be about student welfare and achievement. It’s really about keeping Chicago Teachers Union jobs intact even as enrollment drops.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicagoans suffer decade-high robberies, record-low arrest rate

By Patrick Andriesen

03/28/2024

Chicago saw more robbery victims in 2023 than in any year of the past decade, reporting 1 victim for every 250 residents. While crimes surged, robbery arrests hit a record low. Fewer cops is not helping.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

March Madness pushed Illinois sports wagers to $335M last year

By Dylan Sharkey

03/27/2024

Illinoisans are expected to again bet big on college sports during March, driven by March Madness. Sports wagers put $1B into Illinois government accounts last year, ranking it No. 3 in the U.S.

TAGS: March Madness

Editorial: Data can build understanding, help solve Chicago’s crime problem

By Hilary Gowins

03/27/2024

Violent crime in Chicago increased by 11.5% in 2023, but the city’s arrest rate dropped compared with 2022.

Vallas: 8 ways to fix Chicago housing crisis without Johnson’s tax hike

By Paul Vallas

03/26/2024

Now that Mayor Brandon Johnson’s real estate transfer tax has failed, here are eight practical ways Chicago can provide more affordable housing without raising taxes.

Chicago mayor loses tax hike support on South Side, West Side

By Dylan Sharkey, Jon Josko

03/20/2024

Voters on the South Side and West Side of Chicago supported Mayor Brandon Johnson just a year ago. They just vehemently rejected his plan to raise the real estate transfer tax, which threatened businesses and lacked details about easing homelessness.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Editorial: Voters send loud message to Mayor Johnson, his Chicago Teachers Union allies

By Hilary Gowins

03/19/2024

In 2020, 70% of Chicago voters approved the failed statewide progressive income tax. But on March 19, they rejected Mayor Brandon Johnson’s real estate transfer tax hike. This is a resounding defeat for Johnson and his allies in the Chicago Teachers Union.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, taxes

Chicago

Illinois cities could significantly speed up new home, business construction

Eradicating poverty through the dignity of work

What you should know about the Chicago Teachers Union

Vallas: Funding should aid students, not boost Chicago Teachers Union job count

Chicagoans suffer decade-high robberies, record-low arrest rate

March Madness pushed Illinois sports wagers to $335M last year

Editorial: Data can build understanding, help solve Chicago’s crime problem

Vallas: 8 ways to fix Chicago housing crisis without Johnson’s tax hike

Chicago mayor loses tax hike support on South Side, West Side

Editorial: Voters send loud message to Mayor Johnson, his Chicago Teachers Union allies

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