More than 2-in-5 Chicago low-income students chronically absent

By Hannah Schmid

01/24/2024

Chronic absenteeism rates are higher in Chicago than statewide, with 44% of low-income Chicago students missing at least 10% of their days in school.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for 3rd-worst in U.S.

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

01/23/2024

Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for third-worst in the U.S. in December 2023, despite job gains across most industries since last year. Illinois continues to lag the nation and nearly all its neighbors in job growth.

Township supervisor gets $224K, but salary drops to $25K if voters pick someone else

By Jess Plowman

01/23/2024

An embattled Chicago-area township supervisor is being accused of discouraging competition ahead of her campaign by cutting the position’s pay if she loses. It may be illegal, but someone would need to sue.

TAGS: townships

Chicago considers natural gas ban that could 2X heating costs

By Patrick Andriesen

01/23/2024

The Chicago City Council is considering an ordinance to effectively ban natural gas in most new buildings, including gas stoves. Energy providers warn the policy could double heating costs for Chicago homes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

18 states embrace school choice as Illinois hurts low-income families

By Hannah Schmid

01/22/2024

Seven states enacted new private school choice programs in 2023 and 11 states expanded existing programs. But Illinois killed its Invest in Kids tax-credit scholarship program, ending the only help for nearly 10,000 low-income students.

TAGS: school choice

Chicago hits record high car thefts, record low arrests in 2023

By Patrick Andriesen

01/22/2024

Chicago drivers reported more car thefts in 2023 than in any year since the city started tracking them. Arrest rates hit their lowest level of the period.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Carjacking outside Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mansion thwarted by stick-shift car

By Dylan Sharkey

01/18/2024

A Chicagoan was carjacked just outside Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Chicago mansion. Chicago carjackings have more than doubled since 2019, with the attackers rarely caught.

Dry January savings: Illinois wine taxes 4x higher than New York, California

By Dylan Sharkey

01/15/2024

Illinois’ excise tax on wine is more than 4 times higher than the same bottle in New York or California. Buying in Chicago adds extra tax layers, hitting 6 times the taxes of other big cities.

TAGS: alcohol tax, Chicago, sin taxes

Over $23 million in tech devices missing from Chicago Public Schools

By Hannah Schmid

01/12/2024

Chicago Public Schools Inspector General’s report showed 77,505 devices were lost or stolen during the 2021-2022 school year. At 36 schools, every single student device was gone.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago

Common-ground solutions to empower Chicago’s poor: A model for America’s cities

More than 2-in-5 Chicago low-income students chronically absent

Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for 3rd-worst in U.S.

Township supervisor gets $224K, but salary drops to $25K if voters pick someone else

Chicago considers natural gas ban that could 2X heating costs

18 states embrace school choice as Illinois hurts low-income families

Chicago hits record high car thefts, record low arrests in 2023

Carjacking outside Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mansion thwarted by stick-shift car

Dry January savings: Illinois wine taxes 4x higher than New York, California

Over $23 million in tech devices missing from Chicago Public Schools

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