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

‘Home Alone’ in real life could land you in an Illinois jail

By Dylan Sharkey

12/13/2021

Illinois sees leaving a child younger than 14 ‘Home Alone’ as a crime, one that state employees have vigorously applied.

TAGS: home alone, Illinois, negligence

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

Illinois’ high sales taxes turn holiday shoppers into Scrooges

12/19/2019

Illinois’ state and local sales taxes make shopping for gifts an expensive gesture of kindness every holiday season.

TAGS: Cook County Board, eBay, Etsy, gas tax, Illinois, Magnificent Mile, online sales tax, sales tax, tax burden, taxes, wireless tax

Leaving child Home Alone could land parents in jail this holiday season

12/19/2019

Illinois’ restrictive and vague laws could mean arrest for parents who leave their kids at home while they run a quick holiday errand.

TAGS: Chicago, Christmas, Corey Widen, criminal justice reform, Illinois House of Representatives, Illinois Senate, lawmakers, Natasha Felix, overcriminalization, police, Wilmette, Winnetka

Grayslake school employees who don’t want to strike: You have options

By Mailee Smith

11/08/2019

Not all teachers and support staff at Grayslake Community Consolidated School District 46 want to be on strike. Those who are not members of the union have more options – and more freedom – in deciding whether to walk the picket line.

TAGS: Grayslake, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, strike

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

‘Home Alone’ in real life could land you in an Illinois jail

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

Illinois’ high sales taxes turn holiday shoppers into Scrooges

Leaving child Home Alone could land parents in jail this holiday season

Grayslake school employees who don’t want to strike: You have options

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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