Chicago students receive more state funding than the average Illinois student

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

04/07/2016

Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool has claimed that Chicago students are discriminated against under the state's education funding formula. But the numbers show the opposite: Chicago has received more than its fair share of education funding from the state.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools

CPS files charges against CTU for ‘illegal’ strike

By Jeffrey Schwab

04/01/2016

The union’s one-day strike is an illegal, aggressive political power play, and its attempt to coerce its members to participate violates its own constitution. Here’s a breakdown of the timeline, the law and the political statement the union is making.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, Karen Lewis

Chicago Teachers Union’s threatened April 1 strike date isn’t legal

By Jeffrey Schwab

03/03/2016

The Chicago Teachers Union has threatened to strike as early as April 1 over Chicago Public Schools’ announced plan to stop paying a portion of teachers’ required contributions to their pension fund. Under Illinois labor law, however, CTU cannot legally strike before mid- to late-May.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Illinois corruption watch: January 2016

02/12/2016

In January several instances of corruption, influence peddling and mismanagement across Illinois were brought to light, from the College of DuPage’s expense-account mismanagement, to Chicago’s red-light-camera bribery case.

Springfield couldn’t bail out Chicago Public Schools even if it wanted to

By Ted Dabrowski

02/05/2016

State-run teacher pensions have a shortfall of $37,000 per student, while Chicago's shortfall totals $24,000.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, pensions

CTU president concedes possibility of CPS ending annual multimillion-dollar practice of teacher ‘pension pickups’

By Ted Dabrowski

01/22/2016

CTU President Karen Lewis has acknowledged that CPS is in dire straits – and that her union may have to make concessions in contract negotiations, including ending the practice of the school district – meaning taxpayers – picking up the majority of teacher contributions toward pensions, which has cost $1.3 billion since 2006.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

CPS to ask employees to contribute their fair share to their pensions

By Ted Dabrowski

08/12/2015

Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool calls for an end to “pickups” of employee pension contributions, which would save the cash-strapped district $174 million a year.

Illinois Corruption Watch: April 2014

By Brian Costin

04/30/2014

45. April 30, 2014 Sun-Times: Criminal probe of Quinn anti-violence plan rocks governor’s race A criminal grand jury has launched a probe into Gov. Pat Quinn’s troubled anti-violence program — once likened to “a political slush fund” — delivering a major blow to the Democrat as he seeks re-election this fall. On Tuesday, the Quinn...

Cook County Property Tax Bills Will Arrive after Election

09/28/2010

by Amanda Griffin-Johnson The timing of Cook County property tax bills this fall has entered the political realm. Last year, the bills were sent just before November. This year, they’re going out well after the election. Could there be political reasons for the later date? The Chicago Tribune reports: Cook County property tax bills won’t be out...

Cook County Coalition for Tax Relief Founded, Hosting Tax Forum

06/30/2010

by Brian Costin Liberty Leader John Yackley has paid a large role in forming a new taxpayer watchdog organization called Cook County Coalition for Tax Relief. The Coalition is for Cook County business and residents alike, but emphasizes the effects of the Cook County property tax code and the unequal burden it places on businesses. The purpose...

Forrest Claypool

Chicago students receive more state funding than the average Illinois student

CPS files charges against CTU for ‘illegal’ strike

Chicago Teachers Union’s threatened April 1 strike date isn’t legal

Illinois corruption watch: January 2016

Springfield couldn’t bail out Chicago Public Schools even if it wanted to

CTU president concedes possibility of CPS ending annual multimillion-dollar practice of teacher ‘pension pickups’

CPS to ask employees to contribute their fair share to their pensions

Illinois Corruption Watch: April 2014

Cook County Property Tax Bills Will Arrive after Election

Cook County Coalition for Tax Relief Founded, Hosting Tax Forum

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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