Lightfoot 2nd Chicago mayor to call on Springfield for pension reform

By Patrick Andriesen

01/31/2023

Just like Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel did late in his term, Mayor Lori Lightfoot is calling for public pension reforms. Pensions are damaging cities, she said.

TAGS: Chicago, pensions

Nearly half of Chicago Public Schools students chronically absent in 2022

By Hannah Schmid

01/30/2023

Chronic absenteeism rates are higher in Chicago than statewide, with 49% of low-income Chicago students missing at least 10% of their days in school. That rate has nearly doubled since the pandemic.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Teachers Union’s mayoral candidate wants ‘suburbs tax’ on ‘the rich’

By Patrick Andriesen

01/27/2023

Chicago Teachers Union lobbyist and mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson unveiled his ‘tax-the-rich’ revenue plan, including $800 million in new taxes on suburbanites and those who come to the city to work or play.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union spends $17M on Illinois political campaigns

By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko

01/26/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union has funneled more than $17 million to Illinois political committees since 2010, when the militant Caucus of Rank and File Educators took over leadership. Now, one of their employees is running for Chicago mayor.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

High-tax Illinois loses people, low-tax states gain in 2022

By Justin Carlson

01/25/2023

Low-tax states attract the majority of movers, while high-tax states push them away. Illinois takes nearly 13% of all money made in the state as taxes, and lost 141,656 residents in 2022.

Flashback: What Illinois lawmaker’s progressive tax plan looked like 5 years ago

By Bryce Hill

01/19/2023

Here's what the progressive tax looked like nearly five years ago when state lawmakers were pushing a plan to tax Illinoisans $3.6 billion more, starting with those making $17,300.

TAGS: fair tax, progressive income tax, taxes

Survey: Illinois 2nd in U.S. for residents leaving

By Dylan Sharkey

01/18/2023

Illinois is the second-most popular state to leave based on a survey of movers by United Van Lines. Illinois has also experienced nine straight years of population loss.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration

How to vote in the 2023 Chicago election

By Hannah Schmid

01/18/2023

Late January is the start of voting for the Feb. 28 Chicago municipal elections for early, in-person voting and for those who’ve requested mail-in ballots. Here’s your guide to voting in Chicago for mayor, alderman and other city offices.

TAGS: Chicago, election

Record number of Illinois voters cast ballot by mail in 2022 midterms

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

01/11/2023

Illinois’ 2022 general election saw the second-highest voter turnout in a midterm year of the past quarter century, with more than half of registered residents casting a ballot. Vote by mail participation increased 67% over 2018.

TAGS: Illinois, vote-by-mail

Chicago Public Schools spends 55% more on 20% fewer students since 2010

By Hannah Schmid

01/10/2023

Over 87,000 students have left Chicago Public Schools and student proficiency rates have dropped since the militant Caucus of Rank and File Educators took over the Chicago Teachers Union in 2010. All that, and 55% higher costs.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Invest in Kids

Chicago

Lightfoot 2nd Chicago mayor to call on Springfield for pension reform

Nearly half of Chicago Public Schools students chronically absent in 2022

Chicago Teachers Union’s mayoral candidate wants ‘suburbs tax’ on ‘the rich’

Chicago Teachers Union spends $17M on Illinois political campaigns

High-tax Illinois loses people, low-tax states gain in 2022

Flashback: What Illinois lawmaker’s progressive tax plan looked like 5 years ago

Survey: Illinois 2nd in U.S. for residents leaving

How to vote in the 2023 Chicago election

Record number of Illinois voters cast ballot by mail in 2022 midterms

Chicago Public Schools spends 55% more on 20% fewer students since 2010

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