Fact-check: How misleading is Stacy Davis Gates’ ‘Dear Union Sibling’ letter?

By Perry Zhao

09/13/2023

After Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates admitted to sending her son to a private school while trying to kill school choice for others, she defended her decision to her union’s members. To be kind, it was misleading. Here’s a fact check of it.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Chicago Fact Sheet

08/28/2023

Chicago is one of the nation's greatest cities, but it has challenges. An outline of four of the most significant problems.

3 ways Chicago Mayor Johnson is likely to repay unions for bankrolling him

By Mailee Smith

08/24/2023

Nearly 83% of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s funding has been from unions, according to data obtained from Illinois Sunshine. More than half of that came from teachers unions. Here are three ways we could see him pay them back.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinoisans pay 2nd highest gas taxes in the nation

By Patrick Andriesen, Dylan Sharkey

08/09/2023

Illinoisans pay the nation’s second-highest gas taxes behind California thanks to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s automatic gas tax hikes. Illinois motorists faced two hikes in 2023.

TAGS: gas tax

Cook County property taxes rise most in suburbs

By Josh Bandoch

08/08/2023

While most Cook County residents have seen property taxes rise, the suburbs saw the biggest hikes during the past 20 years. Chicago homeowners and business owners are feeling less tax pain than their suburban peers.

TAGS: Cook County, property taxes

Up 40% or down 40%, Chicago property taxes all over the map

By Josh Bandoch

08/07/2023

Chicago’s residential property taxes between 2020 and 2021 were pretty volatile. Don’t be happy about a big drop, though, because it might mean your home isn’t worth as much.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes

Lollapalooza ticket price up to $392 higher with Chicago tax

By Patrick Andriesen

07/27/2023

The typical concertgoer will pay an extra $35 for their general admission ticket to Lollapalooza, thanks to the city’s amusment tax. A platinum pass will cost visitors more than the price of a standard ticket in taxes alone.

TAGS: Chicago, Lollapalooza

What to expect when cash bail ends in Illinois

By Joe Tabor

07/27/2023

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled ending cash bail is constitutional. What does that mean for Illinois? It means ready or not, the system changes Sept. 18.

TAGS: cash bail

Report: Illinois, Chicago public pension crises worst in U.S.

By Bryce Hill, Justin Carlson

07/19/2023

Illinois state and local pension debt now tallies $218 billion with both debt to GDP and funding ratios the worst in the nation, according to a new Equable Institute report.

TAGS: pensions

Vallas: A real strategy for containing out-of-control violence in Chicago

By Paul Vallas

07/17/2023

Chicago can’t afford to wait on immediate crime reduction efforts – the city needs a plan. Unfortunately, no concrete details have emerged on how the new administration plans to address public safety, the No. 1 issue on Chicagoans’ minds. Here are nine steps Chicago officials could take to begin curbing crime today.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Cook County

Fact-check: How misleading is Stacy Davis Gates’ ‘Dear Union Sibling’ letter?

Chicago Fact Sheet

3 ways Chicago Mayor Johnson is likely to repay unions for bankrolling him

Illinoisans pay 2nd highest gas taxes in the nation

Cook County property taxes rise most in suburbs

Up 40% or down 40%, Chicago property taxes all over the map

Lollapalooza ticket price up to $392 higher with Chicago tax

What to expect when cash bail ends in Illinois

Report: Illinois, Chicago public pension crises worst in U.S.

Vallas: A real strategy for containing out-of-control violence in Chicago

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