Tariff troubles highlight Chicago’s precarious pension situation

By LyLena Estabine

05/06/2025

Tariffs by President Donald Trump sent markets tumbling and temporarily hurt public pension investments. While the markets recovered, the episode showed Chicago’s pension systems are extremely fragile.

Pritzker touts economic growth while proposed budget risks it

By FJ Hilgart

05/01/2025

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget proposal slashes general funds for economic development while relying on federal dollars to mask the cuts. This move raises doubts about the governor’s fiscal priorities.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Vallas: Pritzker, Johnson keep playing Trump card

By Paul Vallas

04/25/2025

Deep-blue Illinois had President Biden to bail out the state’s and Chicago’s financial failings. Now city and state leaders have President Trump to blame for their financial failings. Eventually, taxpayers will be held responsible.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, JB Pritzker

Medicaid enrollment, spending soar in Illinois as Congress weighs cuts

By Chris Coffey

03/27/2025

Expansions to Medicaid because of the Affordable Care Act and COVID-19 have increased the program in Illinois as Congress considers potential cuts or work requirements.

Vallas: Illinois’ woes say more about Pritzker, Johnson than Trump

By Paul Vallas

02/11/2025

Illinois leaders have built a legacy of massive government spending deficits, extortionate taxes, marauding criminals and failing schools. Instead of Trump-proofing Illinois, maybe we need to Pritzker- and Johnson-proof it.

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

By Joe Tabor

02/10/2025

Published Feb. 10, 2025 Even though federal COVID relief funds provided an unexpected windfall, that one-time jolt of cash could leave many Illinois localities even worse off than they were before. That boost in revenue allowed local governments to put off difficult budgeting decisions, and as that revenue dries up, municipalities will have to contend...

How government unions work against interests of private-sector unions, taxpayers

By Mailee Smith

01/08/2025

Government unions posed threats to public welfare that were recognized by founders of the labor movement and by progressive icon Franklin D. Roosevelt. Those threats have become reality, with government union power dominating – especially in Illinois.

National Education Association sees teacher exodus as political spending balloons

By Mailee Smith

12/06/2024

NEA has lost nearly 400,000 members since its peak in 2009. It could be because just 9% of the union’s spending is on representing teachers – with the rest on politics, administration and other union leader priorities.

TAGS: education, IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association

Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union’s school closing tall tale

By Paul Vallas

11/22/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union wails about schools closing, but it is the union’s actions that have been solely responsible for past school closings and for the conditions that will lead to more closures in the future.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union spent $1.74M trying to take over Chicago school board

By Mailee Smith

11/14/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union spent $1.74 million on its endorsed school board candidates. But most of them were defeated, signaling the unpopularity of CTU and Mayor Brandon Johnson.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Donald Trump

Tariff troubles highlight Chicago’s precarious pension situation

Pritzker touts economic growth while proposed budget risks it

Vallas: Pritzker, Johnson keep playing Trump card

Medicaid enrollment, spending soar in Illinois as Congress weighs cuts

Vallas: Illinois’ woes say more about Pritzker, Johnson than Trump

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

How government unions work against interests of private-sector unions, taxpayers

National Education Association sees teacher exodus as political spending balloons

Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union’s school closing tall tale

Chicago Teachers Union spent $1.74M trying to take over Chicago school board

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

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Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students