How Chicago Teachers Union members can stop forced political donations

By Mailee Smith

02/24/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union has drawn criticism from members for its handling of member money and use of dues for political purposes. Teachers who don’t like the way CTU uses their money can opt out and join alternative organizations.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Shoppers pay 9% sales tax on Christmas gifts in Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

12/22/2022

Illinois shoppers will pay an average 8.81% in sales taxes on presents this holiday, the eighth most nationwide. Some Cook County communities will charge up to 11.5%.

TAGS: Illinois, sales tax

Illinois child protection director gets 3rd contempt charge in 8 days

By Dylan Sharkey

01/14/2022

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services director was held in contempt of court for allegedly violating the right to proper housing of a 17-year-old boy. It’s the director’s third contempt charge in eight days, highlighting DCFS’ struggle to place kids.

TAGS: DCFS: Department of Children and Family Services, Marc Smith

Leaving an 8th grader ‘Home Alone’ could land parents in jail

12/23/2020

A vague and restrictive state law could mean the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services comes knocking if parents leave their 13-year-old home alone.

TAGS: DCFS: Department of Children and Family Services, home alone, negligence, regulations

Illinois’ sales taxes make holiday shopping painful reminder of fiscal woes

12/18/2020

Sales taxes can exceed 10% in Illinois depending on where consumers do their holiday shopping. The average has been creeping up in recent years.

TAGS: Chicago, Christmas, sales tax

Chicago teachers who don’t want to fund CTU leadership’s politics have options

By Mailee Smith, Vincent Caruso

01/30/2020

Leaders of Illinois’ largest local teachers’ union received swift blowback after their latest push into public politics. Members dissatisfied with the priorities of their union’s leadership deserve to know they have other options.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, government unions, Jesse Sharkey, Kim Foxx, labor, Lori Lightfoot, Nicolas Maduro, opt out, public sector, Stacy Davis Gates, strike, Venezuela

A comprehensive review of the most absurd benefits in the AFSCME collective bargaining agreement

By Mailee Smith

08/10/2016

AFSCME does all it can to perpetuate the myth that it is the “little guy” – the victim – in any contract negotiations with the state. The evidence paints a different picture.

70-mph speed limit fast-tracked after veto override

By Austin Berg

11/21/2014

Contrary to Quinn, Illinois drivers are likely to get 70-mph speed limits on tollways statewide as early as Dec. 2.

TAGS: speed limit, veto

Illinois’ record film revenue: What’s the cost?

By Michael Lucci

01/22/2014

Chicago is a great place to make a movie. Tom Cruise got his big break in the North Shore-based drama “Risky Business,” and comedy star Vince Vaughn claims the Windy City as his home. Film favorites ranging from “Ferris Buehler’s Day Off” to “The Untouchables” and the annual Christmas viewing requirement that is “Home Alone”...

TAGS: Chicago, film subsidies

Will County strike lingers on

By Paul Kersey

11/28/2013

There really is no good time to call a strike, but late in November might just be the worst. That sums up the situation faced by around 1,000 Will County government employees. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1028 called a strike against the county back on Nov. 18. If AFSCME...

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees

Christmas

How Chicago Teachers Union members can stop forced political donations

Shoppers pay 9% sales tax on Christmas gifts in Illinois

Illinois child protection director gets 3rd contempt charge in 8 days

Leaving an 8th grader ‘Home Alone’ could land parents in jail

Illinois’ sales taxes make holiday shopping painful reminder of fiscal woes

Chicago teachers who don’t want to fund CTU leadership’s politics have options

A comprehensive review of the most absurd benefits in the AFSCME collective bargaining agreement

70-mph speed limit fast-tracked after veto override

Illinois’ record film revenue: What’s the cost?

Will County strike lingers on

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