Pritzker’s new budget would create state child tax credit

By Bryce Hill, Dylan Sharkey

04/02/2024

Illinoisans with children younger than 3 could soon get a break on their state taxes. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s newest budget would let qualifying parents around the state keep $12 million in taxes.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Pensions eat up $11.6B of Illinois’ budget

By Bryce Hill, Dylan Sharkey

04/02/2024

Despite taking up 20% of the state’s general funds and $11.6 billion in total, experts said lawmakers still underpaid the five statewide government retirement plans.

Pritzker wants to spend record amount but needs $898M in tax hikes to do it

By Bryce Hill

03/01/2024

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s record-setting $52.7 billion 2025 spending plan needs massive tax increases. Tax changes will hurt individuals, businesses and local governments.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Opinion: Why Illinois’ state budget matters to you

By Hilary Gowins

02/19/2024

Illinois will spend over $50 billion this year to operate state government, which is $10 billion more than when J.B. Pritzker first started spending your taxes. Here are some reasons to pay attention to the upcoming state budget.

Illinois bill would give unions platform for indoctrination in Illinois schools

By Mailee Smith

01/15/2024

House Bill 4417 requires an annual “Workplace Readiness Week” in all Illinois high schools, which focuses not on getting kids ready for jobs but on the labor movement’s role in the workplace.

TAGS: education, government unions, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly

Taxpayer advocates push fixes for Chicago’s massive pension debt

By Jess Plowman

01/10/2024

At a press conference, a new alliance said failure to address Chicago’s pension problems will threaten public services, fail retirees and push taxes higher so more people are encouraged to leave Illinois.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago, pensions

Chicago Teachers Union tried to kill bill to help students earn early college credit

By Mailee Smith

12/27/2023

A recent study found less than one-third of Chicago Public Schools graduates earn their bachelor’s in four years. Yet back in 2018, the Chicago Teachers Union tried to kill legislation giving students a head start on college.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Vallas: Chicago needs better protection for witnesses

By Paul Vallas

11/14/2023

Mass shootings are rampant in Chicago. Arrests for those shootings are almost nonexistent. Witness protection is the key to changing that.

Invest in Kids press conference: Real students are impacted

By Brad Weisenstein

11/08/2023

About 150 students and advocates Nov. 8 were in Springfield chanting and trying to persuade state lawmakers to keep the Invest in Kids school choice program. Parents, educators and politicians made the case during a press conference hosted by Illinois Policy.

TAGS: education, Invest in Kids, school choice

Governor’s doors locked on students advocating school choice at rally

By Jess Plowman

11/01/2023

A rally Nov. 1 outside Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office in Chicago ended with private school students finding themselves locked out of the public building. They were there to ask Pritzker to save the Invest in Kids program.

TAGS: education, Invest in Kids, JB Pritzker

Illinois General Assembly

Pritzker’s new budget would create state child tax credit

Pensions eat up $11.6B of Illinois’ budget

Pritzker wants to spend record amount but needs $898M in tax hikes to do it

Opinion: Why Illinois’ state budget matters to you

Illinois bill would give unions platform for indoctrination in Illinois schools

Taxpayer advocates push fixes for Chicago’s massive pension debt

Chicago Teachers Union tried to kill bill to help students earn early college credit

Vallas: Chicago needs better protection for witnesses

Invest in Kids press conference: Real students are impacted

Governor’s doors locked on students advocating school choice at rally

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