Vallas: ‘Illinois is back,’ but only in Pritzker’s active imagination

By Paul Vallas

12/08/2023

Gov. J.B. Pritzker told Crain’s Chicago Business, “Illinois is back.” But with a long list of state and local fiscal and economic problems, that is more spin than reality.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois mandated annual reports on Invest in Kids: 4 years, no reports

By Patrick Andriesen

11/22/2023

The Illinois State Board of Education failed to publish diagnostic reports required by the Invest in Kids Act to track scholarship recipients’ progress starting in 2019. State lawmakers are letting the program expire without seeing a single report.

2 in 3 Chicagoans disapprove of Mayor Brandon Johnson on crime

By Dylan Sharkey

11/17/2023

When it comes to crime, 66% of Chicago voters disapprove of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s job performance, according to the newest Lincoln Poll. Just 25% of Democrats approve.

Illinois lawmakers adjourn without saving school choice, but fight will continue

By Brad Weisenstein

11/09/2023

Illinois’ Invest in Kids school choice program for over 9,600 low-income students will end at the close of 2023. But supporters vow to resurrect it during the upcoming legislative session.

TAGS: Chicago Teachers Union, Invest in Kids, school choice

Teachers unions hand nearly $1.5 million to lawmakers ahead of Invest in Kids vote

By Mailee Smith

11/06/2023

Illinois teachers unions want to end scholarships for low-income kids. They've funneled more than $21.5 million to current lawmakers who hold the decision in their hands, with nearly $1.5 million coming just since June 1. Will lawmakers stand with unions, or kids?

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Chicago Public Schools dysfunction hits low-income, minority students

By Hannah Schmid

11/02/2023

Spring test data shows low-income and minority students in Chicago Public Schools continue to record low proficiency rates. The Chicago Teachers Union wants to kill a school choice program that could help those students.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Democratic state lawmakers file bill extending school choice

By Dylan Sharkey

10/25/2023

Chicago state Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar filed a bill that would extend Invest in Kids scholarships through 2028 but would cut total tax credits by one-third and therefore the number of scholarships. Another bill would make the program permanent.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Students at Illinois capitol to demand last-minute scholarship rescue

By Jess Plowman

10/25/2023

Hundreds of students and school choice advocates were at the Illinois House chambers to let state representatives know they expect them to save the Invest in Kids Act for low-income students.

TAGS: Illinois House of Representatives, Invest in Kids, school choice

Students filling Statehouse to save Illinois’ school choice program

By Jess Plowman

10/24/2023

The Illinois General Assembly was greeted back to Springfield by private school students pushing them to save the state scholarship program for low-income students. Thousands more are expected Oct. 25.

TAGS: Invest in Kids, school choice, teachers union

Chicago Teachers Union funds lawmakers; record shows it gets what it wants

By Mailee Smith

10/20/2023

With the Illinois General Assembly’s veto session approaching, here’s what the Chicago Teachers Union has pushed in Springfield so far in 2023.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Democratic Party

Vallas: ‘Illinois is back,’ but only in Pritzker’s active imagination

Illinois mandated annual reports on Invest in Kids: 4 years, no reports

2 in 3 Chicagoans disapprove of Mayor Brandon Johnson on crime

Illinois lawmakers adjourn without saving school choice, but fight will continue

Teachers unions hand nearly $1.5 million to lawmakers ahead of Invest in Kids vote

Chicago Public Schools dysfunction hits low-income, minority students

Democratic state lawmakers file bill extending school choice

Students at Illinois capitol to demand last-minute scholarship rescue

Students filling Statehouse to save Illinois’ school choice program

Chicago Teachers Union funds lawmakers; record shows it gets what it wants

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