Freedom of Information Act

Vaguely Reported Office Equipment

01/11/2010
The Department of Employment Security reported their spending in a way that told us very little about what the money was actually going towards.

More Than $3,000 on Cushions

01/07/2010
The Department of Employment Security spent over $3,000 on chair cushions over the last two years.

Private Sector Educators, Public School Students

By Collin Hitt
02/27/2009
There are more than two million students enrolled in Illinois’ public schools.  Private providers — firms and individual contractors — play a pivotal role in helping schools to educate those children. No district can perfectly predict the future needs of their students.  Nor can every district maintain a permanent staff capable of meeting the specific...

A Survey and Overview of Privatization in Illinois’ Public Schools

By Collin Hitt
07/24/2008
Executive Summary Illinois has 871 school districts.  Each one is supposed to efficiently provide a high-quality education to all students who enroll in its schools.  It is no secret that many districts have struggled with providing a high-quality education.  Others have struggled to do so efficiently. A number of reforms exist to help school districts...

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

Occupational licensing requirements present one of the steepest barriers to low-income Illinoisans starting careers in beauty services. Illinois requires anyone seeking to become a barber, cosmetologist, nail technician or hair braider to obtain a state license, essentially a permission slip to work. Unlike 45 other states, Illinois offers only one pathway to licensure for each...

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Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

By Paul Kersey
06/19/2014

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

By Ted Dabrowski
05/02/2016