Only 1 Illinois metro area has recovered COVID-19 job losses

By Bryce Hill

08/26/2022

Illinois’ lagging pandemic recovery continued across its cities in July. Only 1 metropolitan area has recovered from the pandemic.

TAGS: employment, jobs, unemployment

Fact check: Working Illinois families pay more under Pritzker

By Dylan Sharkey

08/26/2022

Gov J.B. Pritzker is on a bus tour celebrating his accomplishments for working families in Illinois. Accomplishment No. 1: Working families have paid more than $4,000 in additional taxes since Pritzker took office.

TAGS: Amendment 1, JB Pritzker, property taxes

Illinois unemployment rate is third-highest in the nation, highest in Midwest

By Bryce Hill

08/19/2022

Illinois stands as one of the states with the most to gain – and lose – as the national economy continues to surpass job growth expectations.

TAGS: economic recovery, jobs

Illinois adds 31,200 jobs in July, still missing 88,600 from pandemic

By Bryce Hill

08/19/2022

Illinois’ employment recovery continued in July, but the state is still missing nearly 1 in 9 jobs lost during the pandemic.

TAGS: economic recovery, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

By Joe Tabor

08/17/2022

Published Aug. 17, 2022 Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension...

Chicago pension funds still among nation’s worst funded

08/16/2022

Over-promised benefits continue to sink Chicago’s finances as the recent bear market eats into 2021 stock market gains. Investments gaining 25% last year plus federal aid didn’t offer much help to city pension systems, which have more debt than 45 states.

TAGS: Chicago, pensions

Illinois retiree: Amendment 1 could cost me my home

08/12/2022

Voters decide Nov. 8 whether to pass Amendment 1 – a hidden tax hike that could cost Illinois taxpayers, including fixed-income retirees, their homes and put homeownership farther out of reach for young families.

TAGS: Amendment 1

How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois

By Joe Tabor, Aimee Morrissey

08/11/2022

Illinois can draw from other states’ experiences to solve its own gerrymandering problem. One solid solution is as close as Michigan.

TAGS: fair maps, gerrymandering, Illinois

‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ website ignores tax hike

By Patrick Andriesen

08/11/2022

The government union-backed website claims Amendment 1 would put more money in the pockets of working Illinoisans, but the change could only benefit the 7% who are government employees. All families would pay $2,149 more in property taxes.

TAGS: Amendment 1, property tax, unions, workers rights

Chicago Teachers Union fights to weaken Chicago charter schools

By Hannah Schmid

08/11/2022

Many Chicago charter school bargaining agreements are expiring this summer, and the Chicago Teachers Union is positioning itself to grow its power by diminishing charter schools as an alternative for parents and students.

TAGS: charter schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Constitution of Illinois

Only 1 Illinois metro area has recovered COVID-19 job losses

Fact check: Working Illinois families pay more under Pritzker

Illinois unemployment rate is third-highest in the nation, highest in Midwest

Illinois adds 31,200 jobs in July, still missing 88,600 from pandemic

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

Chicago pension funds still among nation’s worst funded

Illinois retiree: Amendment 1 could cost me my home

How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois

‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ website ignores tax hike

Chicago Teachers Union fights to weaken Chicago charter schools

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