Cook County population decline, outmigration 2nd-worst in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

03/30/2023

94,344 residents moved out of Cook County, the sole reason for 2022 population decline.

TAGS: Cook County, population, U.S. Census Bureau

Loophole will let Brandon Johnson collect public pension now worth $1.1M

By Bryce Hill

03/23/2023

Mayoral candidate and Chicago Teachers Union organizer Brandon Johnson is eligible to collect an estimated $1.1 million pension through the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund despite only teaching for four years. His future path could yield a public pension worth over $2.8 million.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

How to protect your vote from fraud in Illinois

By Hannah Schmid

03/16/2023

Illinois voters can join the growing ranks of registered voters who have applied for permanent vote-by-mail status to ensure they never miss another election and their vote cannot be stolen.

TAGS: Chicago voting, Illinois voting, mail-in ballot, vote-by-mail

What are the facts about voting by mail in Illinois?

By Hannah Schmid

03/16/2023

Applications are open for registered voters to apply to vote by mail in the upcoming April 4 local elections.

TAGS: Chicago election, city of chicago, local elections, vote-by-mail

Mayor race pits school choice against more power for Chicago Teachers Union

By Dylan Sharkey

03/02/2023

Former Chicago Public School CEO Paul Vallas and Chicago Teachers Union lobbyist Brandon Johnson will advance to the April 4 runoff election. Both have very different views on public safety and education.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Invest in Kids, Paul Vallas

Each Chicago taxpayer on hook for nearly $42,000 of city debt

By Justin Carlson

02/10/2023

Fiscal watchdog Truth in Accounting found Chicagoans are each responsible for the second-most debt in the nation. It again gave the city an ‘F’ grade despite improvements from one-time federal COVID-19 aid and unusually high pension investment returns.

TAGS: Chicago, debt

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

Illinois shoppers pay highest sales tax in Midwest, 8th in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

02/09/2023

Illinoisans shopping for Valentine’s Day will pay the highest sales tax in the Midwest and eighth-highest in the nation.

TAGS: sales tax

2022 midterms show mail voting spreads rapidly across Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

01/11/2023

Over 742,000 Illinoisans voted by mail in November, 67% more than the previous midterm. While many Northern Illinois counties saw record voter participation, Cook County reported its lowest turnout in 25 years.

TAGS: Illinois, vote-by-mail

Chicago Teachers Union tries to kill school choice for low-income students

By Hannah Schmid

12/30/2022

Spring test data shows demographic achievement gaps persist in Chicago Public Schools, yet the Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate a scholarship program giving low-income students a way out of the underperforming public school system.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Invest in Kids, tax credit scholarships

Cook County

Cook County population decline, outmigration 2nd-worst in U.S.

Loophole will let Brandon Johnson collect public pension now worth $1.1M

How to protect your vote from fraud in Illinois

What are the facts about voting by mail in Illinois?

Mayor race pits school choice against more power for Chicago Teachers Union

Each Chicago taxpayer on hook for nearly $42,000 of city debt

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

Illinois shoppers pay highest sales tax in Midwest, 8th in nation

2022 midterms show mail voting spreads rapidly across Illinois

Chicago Teachers Union tries to kill school choice for low-income students

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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