How many new businesses does your Illinois county have?

By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg

07/19/2024

New business applications in Illinois are up 47% compared to pre-pandemic numbers in 2019, but what does growth in your county look like?

Planning a long Lollapalooza weekend? Expect ticket taxes of $91 to $1,001

By Patrick Andriesen

07/18/2024

If you plan to be at Lollapalooza from Megan Thee Stallion to Blink-182, expect taxes to add $91 to the cost of general admission. Get a premium ticket and city, county and state sales and amusement taxes add $1,001 to the cost.

TAGS: Lollapalooza, tax

Vallas: 10 things you should know about Chicago crime today

By Paul Vallas

07/18/2024

Independence Day weekend was bloody in Chicago. City leaders are doing little other than pointing fingers. Here are 10 things Chicagoans should know about the current crime problem.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

07/09/2024

Published July 9, 2024 America is facing a housing affordability crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 73% of Americans said the average person could not afford a home in their area, and 69% were worried about their children and grandchildren being able to afford a home. That’s unfair. Everyone deserves a good roof over their...

Forced agenda: Chicago Teachers Union contract aims to dictate radical, costly worldview to Chicagoans

By Mailee Smith

07/02/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union is putting political goals in its contract demands, something not found in other large cities. It is trying to impose policy on the public without elected representatives debating whether the policies will hurt students and taxpayers.

How public programs can penalize workers earning more

By Aayush Goodpaty

06/25/2024

Families trying to escape poverty are sometimes worse off with greater incomes because of benefits cliffs hidden in public programs.

Speaker Welch got union power into Illinois Constitution, now his workers use it against him

By Mailee Smith

06/03/2024

Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch supported the so-called workers’ rights amendment but won’t recognize his own staff’s union. That union has now filed suit.

TAGS: Chris Welch

2024 NASCAR ticket price up to $270 higher thanks to Chicago tax

By Patrick Andriesen

05/27/2024

The typical racing fan will pay an extra $22 for general admission to Chicago’s NASCAR “Street Race Weekend” thanks to the city’s amusement tax. Luxury seating could cost residents more than the price of a standard ticket in taxes alone.

TAGS: Chicago, NASCAR, taxes

$30K for pizza? No wonder nearly one-third of workers reject SEIU HCII union

By Mailee Smith

05/09/2024

Not even one-quarter of SEIU HCII’s spending is on representing workers – which should be its main priority. Yet dozens of its own employees make six-figure salaries and it has increased its spending on politics by nearly 9%. Oh, yeah: plus spent over $30,000 at a pizza parlor.

TAGS: SEIU: Service Employees International Union

Editorial: State lawmakers in Springfield pass bill to cut off competition in 78 races

By Hilary Gowins

05/06/2024

Why did SB 2412 need to pass on May 2, in the middle of the election cycle, weeks after the primary election but still well ahead of the November general election? Many candidates had already started the complicated process of petition gathering and paperwork under the old rules. What justifies changing those rules in the middle of the game?

TAGS: election laws

Cook County

How many new businesses does your Illinois county have?

Planning a long Lollapalooza weekend? Expect ticket taxes of $91 to $1,001

Vallas: 10 things you should know about Chicago crime today

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Forced agenda: Chicago Teachers Union contract aims to dictate radical, costly worldview to Chicagoans

How public programs can penalize workers earning more

Speaker Welch got union power into Illinois Constitution, now his workers use it against him

2024 NASCAR ticket price up to $270 higher thanks to Chicago tax

$30K for pizza? No wonder nearly one-third of workers reject SEIU HCII union

Editorial: State lawmakers in Springfield pass bill to cut off competition in 78 races

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