What Brandon Johnson’s tax plan needs from Chicago aldermen, Springfield

By Joe Tabor

04/24/2023

Chicago’s incoming mayor, Brandon Johnson, has a long list of tax proposals for the city, but he will have to get all of them past the City Council and some past the Illinois General Assembly.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Poll: Nearly 3-in-5 Illinoisans say property taxes don’t deliver value

By Dylan Sharkey

04/24/2023

Fifty-eight percent of Illinois voters polled said their property taxes don’t provide enough value in public services. Illinoisans pay the second-highest property taxes in the nation.

How Illinois politicians allow government unions to rewrite state law

By Mailee Smith, Hannah Schmid

04/06/2023

No other state’s constitution or labor laws are like Illinois’ – broadly allowing government unions to override statutes simply by negotiating contrary provisions into collective bargaining agreements. Illinois may not be alone for long.

Illinois families pay highest state, local taxes in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

03/21/2023

A new WalletHub study found the typical household in Illinois pays 15% of its income to state and local taxes, the highest in the nation. That’s an average of $10,463 – a 22% hike since 2017.

Pritzker pushes cash to keep teachers in Illinois schools

By Dylan Sharkey

03/17/2023

Gov. J.B. Pritzker introduced a Teacher Pipeline Grant Program to address teacher vacancies, but getting more money into classrooms rather than it chasing retirement debt is a better solution.

TAGS: Governor Pritzker

Why ‘temporary’ income tax hike, retirement tax won’t fix Illinois pensions

By Justin Carlson

02/24/2023

A Chicago civic group suggests either increasing the state’s personal and corporate income taxes for 10 years or implementing a retirement tax to help pay for the state’s worst-in-the-nation pension debt. Here are the problems with that plan.

Pritzker proposes $440 million for young child initiatives

By Dylan Sharkey

02/15/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to spend $440 million for universal preschool and other initiatives for low-income young children. But shouldn’t Illinois pay its old bills before taking on new expenses?

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Pritzker signs bill allowing Chicago Public Schools principals to unionize

By Mailee Smith

02/11/2023

Chicago Public Schools principals already make nearly 30% more than their peers in the rest of the state. A newly signed law allows them to unionize and push for even more.

TAGS: government unions

Illinois Senate Bill would allow noncitizen parents, guardians to vote in school board elections

By Dylan Sharkey

02/10/2023

Illinois lawmakers are considering granting noncitizens the right to vote in school board elections if their children are in the school district. Registering to vote would come with a warning about possible risks under U.S. immigration law.

How Chicago’s pension crisis drives high taxes, fiscal turmoil

By Bryce Hill, Justin Carlson

02/10/2023

Before deciding who best can lead Chicago through its financial problems, it helps to understand what those problems are. Here’s a primer.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, pensions

Constitution of Illinois

What Brandon Johnson’s tax plan needs from Chicago aldermen, Springfield

Poll: Nearly 3-in-5 Illinoisans say property taxes don’t deliver value

How Illinois politicians allow government unions to rewrite state law

Illinois families pay highest state, local taxes in nation

Pritzker pushes cash to keep teachers in Illinois schools

Why ‘temporary’ income tax hike, retirement tax won’t fix Illinois pensions

Pritzker proposes $440 million for young child initiatives

Pritzker signs bill allowing Chicago Public Schools principals to unionize

Illinois Senate Bill would allow noncitizen parents, guardians to vote in school board elections

How Chicago’s pension crisis drives high taxes, fiscal turmoil

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit 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