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

Illinois government workers’ union dues being diverted to swing-state politics

By Mailee Smith

09/19/2024

Illinois government workers’ union dues fund Democratic Party campaign committees, which are now seeking to tip the presidential election outcome in swing states. That fails to align with at least 40% of members’ politics.

TAGS: SEIU: Service Employees International Union

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...

Common-ground solutions to empower Chicago’s poor: A model for America’s cities

By Josh Bandoch

01/25/2024

Published Jan. 25, 2024

Donald Trump

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

Illinois government workers’ union dues being diverted to swing-state politics

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Common-ground solutions to empower Chicago’s poor: A model for America’s cities

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