Illinois has 8th–largest racial wealth gap in the nation

By Josh Bandoch

02/11/2026

Illinois in the top ten for largest racial wealth gaps. Disparities in income, education and poverty drive the state’s racial wealth gap.

Waste watch: Illinois gives $1.5M to ICE opponents

By Geoff Feinstein

02/09/2026

Illinois lawmakers funded a Hispanic chamber of commerce connected to Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Its chief opposes ICE deportations.

Chicago Public Schools students thrive through academic rigor

By Lilly Rossi, Hannah Schmid

01/22/2026

Chicago Public Schools’ school choice experiment is working: students at the city’s selective enrollment schools are thriving.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

1-in-4 Illinois students absent in 2025

By Olivia Hickam, Hannah Schmid

11/24/2025

One-in-four Illinois public school students were chronically absent in the 2024-2025 school year. It is contributing to Illinois’ low academic proficiency.

Scores down, absences up for Chicago low-income, minority students

By Hannah Schmid

11/12/2025

Chicago Public Schools’ low-income and minority students recorded lower proficiency rates than the state average. They are also missing more school.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Low-income students 16 points below Illinois average

By Hannah Schmid

11/05/2025

New Illinois State Board of Education data shows low-income and minority public school students are struggling, scoring well below average.

Chicago Public Schools lose 9,000 students

By Hannah Schmid

09/30/2025

There are 9,081 fewer students enrolled in Chicago Public Schools, driven by declines in Black and Hispanic students. The big drop ends a blip in annual enrollment declines.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Back to school in Chicago: fewer than 1-in-3 students read at grade level

By Hannah Schmid

08/18/2025

Students returned to their Chicago public schools on Aug. 18. The most recent test data available for Chicago students shows there’s a lot of room for improvement in the new school year.

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

By Josh Bandoch, Lauren Zuar

06/03/2025

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

No degree? No problem. Chicago expanding access to work

By Lauren Zuar

05/28/2025

A new Chicago ordinance will remove college degree requirements for most city jobs. The measure breaks down employment barriers for disadvantaged groups and opens new pathways to prosperity.

Hispanic

Illinois has 8th–largest racial wealth gap in the nation

Waste watch: Illinois gives $1.5M to ICE opponents

Chicago Public Schools students thrive through academic rigor

1-in-4 Illinois students absent in 2025

Scores down, absences up for Chicago low-income, minority students

Low-income students 16 points below Illinois average

Chicago Public Schools lose 9,000 students

Back to school in Chicago: fewer than 1-in-3 students read at grade level

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

No degree? No problem. Chicago expanding access to work

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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