What are the facts about voting by mail in Illinois?

By Hannah Schmid

03/16/2023

Applications are open for registered voters to apply to vote by mail in the upcoming April 4 local elections.

TAGS: Chicago election, city of chicago, local elections, vote-by-mail

Brandon Johnson’s ‘mansion tax’ would likely hurt Chicago renters

By Justin Carlson

03/16/2023

Mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson seeks to triple the real estate transfer tax on real estate valued at $1 million or more. That would include apartment complexes. In Los Angeles, a similar tax has hurt housing.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Chicago Teachers Union defies its own rules with $1.5M more in member dues to Johnson

By Mailee Smith

03/15/2023

To date, the Chicago Teachers Union and its affiliates have funneled nearly $5 million to the mayoral campaign of Brandon Johnson, ignoring member criticism and violating union rules.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

March Madness means millions in tax revenue for Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

03/14/2023

Illinoisans bet more than $275 million on March Madness in 2022, with the state netting more than $2 million in tax revenue. Revenue totals for sports betting in 2022 were the second highest in the nation behind New York.

TAGS: Illinois gambling, legal gambling, March Madness

How Brandon Johnson plans to impose $800M in taxes if he’s Chicago’s mayor

By Patrick Andriesen

03/09/2023

Brandon Johnson’s mayoral campaign still states his six new taxes on “the suburbs, airlines and ultra-rich” would generate $800 million, even after he dropped his Metra tax. But the math is fuzzy, especially his claim $800 million can become $2 billion.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union charges members $8 a month for Brandon Johnson campaign

By Patrick Andriesen

03/09/2023

Chicago Teachers Union delegates voted to apportion $8 per month per member’s dues to help fund Brandon Johnson’s mayoral campaign. The motion to potentially triple the union’s campaign investment has drawn criticism from members.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union, affiliates donate nearly $3.2M to Johnson campaign

By Mailee Smith

03/08/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union and its affiliates have given nearly $3.2 million to Brandon Johnson’s campaign for Chicago mayor. The union has come under fire for shifting dues to political activities without members’ OK, but the cash is still flowing.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

SAT scores in decline across Illinois, Chicago since 2017

By Hannah Schmid

03/08/2023

SAT scores are dropping for high school students in Illinois and Chicago. Here’s how Illinois’ 20 largest school districts compared to the state average in reading and math.

TAGS: ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education

Poll: Johnson’s $800M tax hike likely to speed Chicago exodus

By Patrick Andriesen

03/06/2023

New polling shows more than one-third of Chicago voters would leave the city if they could, citing taxes and affordability as a top concern. Mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson’s $800 million tax hike could make them move out faster.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Chicago Teachers Union, affiliates spend nearly $2.5M to put Johnson in mayoral run-off

By Mailee Smith

03/06/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union’s funding of the Brandon Johnson campaign for Chicago mayor has fueled backlash from members. As one of its own employees, Johnson has banked more than $390,000 as CTU’s “legislative coordinator” in the past 5 years.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, taxes

Chicago

What are the facts about voting by mail in Illinois?

Brandon Johnson’s ‘mansion tax’ would likely hurt Chicago renters

Chicago Teachers Union defies its own rules with $1.5M more in member dues to Johnson

March Madness means millions in tax revenue for Illinois

How Brandon Johnson plans to impose $800M in taxes if he’s Chicago’s mayor

Chicago Teachers Union charges members $8 a month for Brandon Johnson campaign

Chicago Teachers Union, affiliates donate nearly $3.2M to Johnson campaign

SAT scores in decline across Illinois, Chicago since 2017

Poll: Johnson’s $800M tax hike likely to speed Chicago exodus

Chicago Teachers Union, affiliates spend nearly $2.5M to put Johnson in mayoral run-off

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