Get the facts: Amendment 1 study guide

By Mailee Smith, Bryce Hill

08/26/2022

The so-called “Workers’ Rights Amendment” would lead to substantial tax increases for working Illinoisans and small business owners.

TAGS: Amendment 1, workers rights amendment

‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ would hike workers’ property taxes by $2,100

By Mailee Smith

07/31/2022

Despite proponents’ claims, Amendment 1 would give union rights only to state and local government workers – who make up just 7% of Illinois adults. It would give $2,100 property tax hikes to everyone.

TAGS: Amendment 1, property taxes, unions

Taking a ballot selfie is a felony in Illinois

By Austin Berg

06/28/2022

Voters wanting to share their Election Day pride best not do it with a voting booth selfie posted to social media. That’s a felony in Illinois.

TAGS: ballot, election, Election Day, voting

Unions spend nearly $5M to push property tax hikes through Amendment 1

By Hannah Schmid

06/27/2022

The majority of the support for a constitutional amendment that would raise taxes on Illinoisans comes from union coffers, with nearly $5 million donated so far. Unions also funded the failed progressive tax push in 2020.

TAGS: Amendment 1, government unions, tax hikes, taxes, unions

Pritzker defends forcing gas station owners to put his propaganda on pumps

By Patrick Andriesen

04/28/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said making filling stations advertise his temporary gas tax suspension or pay $500 a day in fines was not forced political speech. But an association of 500 small petroleum businesses is suing because they believe otherwise.

TAGS: gas prices, JB Pritzker

Illinois parents, teachers sue to get unconstitutional union boost off ballot

04/21/2022

Amendment 1, billed as a “Workers' Rights Amendment,” actually covers so much more that it violates the U.S. Constitution. Parents and teachers worrying about it emboldening already militant teachers unions are suing to get it off the ballot.

TAGS: Amendment 1, government unions, Illinois Constitution, lawsuit

Equating parents with terrorists leads Illinois Association of School Boards to quit U.S. group

By Patrick Andriesen

11/22/2021

The Illinois Association of School Boards is among 15 state boards to terminate their National School Boards Association membership after the national group sent a letter to President Biden asking that upset parent be monitored as domestic terrorists.

TAGS: COVID-19, IASB: Illinois Association of School Boards, NSBA: National School Boards Association

Taking a photo of your filled-in ballot is a felony in Illinois

By Austin Berg

09/28/2020

State lawmakers across the country have struggled to square ballot secrecy with the advent of smartphones and social media.

TAGS: ballot, felony, Illinois Election Code, selfie

Worker freedom: More than 3,700 Illinois state workers stopped paying money to a union in 2018

By Vincent Caruso

12/23/2018

Of the more than 3,700 Illinois state workers who stopped sending part of every paycheck to a union, 2,800 stopped sending their money to AFSCME.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, fair share, Janus v. AFSCME, unions

Illinois school district drops controversial eavesdropping case against former student

By Austin Berg

11/15/2018

Prosecution lawyers for an Illinois school district have decided not to move forward with their case against Paul Boron, who was charged with felony eavesdropping at age 13 for recording audio of a meeting with his middle school principal.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, eavesdropping, Paul Boron

First Amendment to the United States Constitution

Get the facts: Amendment 1 study guide

‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ would hike workers’ property taxes by $2,100

Taking a ballot selfie is a felony in Illinois

Unions spend nearly $5M to push property tax hikes through Amendment 1

Pritzker defends forcing gas station owners to put his propaganda on pumps

Illinois parents, teachers sue to get unconstitutional union boost off ballot

Equating parents with terrorists leads Illinois Association of School Boards to quit U.S. group

Taking a photo of your filled-in ballot is a felony in Illinois

Worker freedom: More than 3,700 Illinois state workers stopped paying money to a union in 2018

Illinois school district drops controversial eavesdropping case against former student

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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