Vallas: Chicago needs tools, transparency for responsible budgeting

By Paul Vallas

09/27/2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is continuing the mayoral tradition of giving the City Council and public too little time and too little information before a deficit city budget is passed. There’s little chance that will change soon, but it could be fixed.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, 48 aldermen accept pay raises

By Patrick Andriesen

09/26/2023

Despite budget experts predicting a $538 million shortfall next year between Chicago’s spending and revenues, only two city leaders opted to forgo automatic pay raises provided to top public servants in September. The mayor and 48 aldermen took theirs.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Center for Poverty Solutions: How to better assess poverty in Chicago and America

By Bryce Hill

09/26/2023

Published Sept. 26, 2023 America’s War on Poverty has been an abject failure. Nearly $12 trillion and 60 years later, official poverty rates remain basically unchanged. While the nation waged a well-intentioned assault on poverty, it inadvertently launched a far more sinister war: on dignity. While attempting to eradicate poverty, America created countless government welfare...

Chicago Teachers Union maintains legislative assault on low-income parents

By Mailee Smith

09/25/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union has registered opposition to just one bill in the Illinois General Assembly’s current legislative session: one that would have created opportunities for low-income parents to send their children to private schools.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Invest in Kids

Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union restricts public school choice, too

By Paul Vallas

09/22/2023

Stacy Davis Gates’ hypocrisy isn’t just about denying families the private school choices she enjoys. It’s also a blatant attack on public school options, particularly public charter schools.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

How you can help save school choice in Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

09/22/2023

Some Illinois lawmakers and the Chicago Teachers Union want to cut off 9,600 students across the state from attending a school of their choice. Here’s how you can save their scholarships before they expire at the end of 2023.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Union bosses pay lobbyist big bucks to kill school choice as he sends his kids to private school

By Mailee Smith

09/20/2023

Sean Denney, director of government relations at the Illinois Education Association, makes four times more than the average family receiving an Invest in Kids tax credit scholarship. He can afford private school for his children but is trying to end that option for others.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association, Invest in Kids

Vallas: Chicago can use home rule powers to curb crime

By Paul Vallas

09/19/2023

The SAFE-T Act could make it too hard for Chicago to detain offenders. Residents can’t afford that when the city is already amid a violent crime surge. Chicago leaders should use home rule powers to create a city public safety act.

TAGS: crime

There is no longer cash bail in Illinois. What happens now?

By Joe Tabor

09/18/2023

After litigation delaying its implementation, the full provisions of Illinois’ SAFE-T Act went into effect on Sept. 18. Here’s what to expect.

TAGS: SAFE-T Act

Vallas: SAFE-T Act starts Monday. 4 ways to make it safer

By Paul Vallas

09/14/2023

Proponents of the SAFE-T Act see it as an end to discrimination in a system that favors the wealthy. Opponents see it as depriving law enforcement of the tools they need to keep streets safe. Both are right. Four legislative actions could fix that.

TAGS: SAFE-T Act

Chicago

Vallas: Chicago needs tools, transparency for responsible budgeting

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, 48 aldermen accept pay raises

Center for Poverty Solutions: How to better assess poverty in Chicago and America

Chicago Teachers Union maintains legislative assault on low-income parents

Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union restricts public school choice, too

How you can help save school choice in Illinois

Union bosses pay lobbyist big bucks to kill school choice as he sends his kids to private school

Vallas: Chicago can use home rule powers to curb crime

There is no longer cash bail in Illinois. What happens now?

Vallas: SAFE-T Act starts Monday. 4 ways to make it safer

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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