Lightfoot 2nd Chicago mayor to call on Springfield for pension reform

By Patrick Andriesen

01/31/2023

Just like Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel did late in his term, Mayor Lori Lightfoot is calling for public pension reforms. Pensions are damaging cities, she said.

TAGS: Chicago, pensions

Chicago Teachers Union spends $17M on Illinois political campaigns

By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko

01/26/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union has funneled more than $17 million to Illinois political committees since 2010, when the militant Caucus of Rank and File Educators took over leadership. Now, one of their employees is running for Chicago mayor.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

School Choice Week a reminder why Illinois families love the Invest in Kids Act

By Patrick Andriesen

01/26/2023

Thousands of parents, educators and organizations across the country renewed calls this week to expand school choice and give more options for students’ educations. But in Illinois, the state’s only school choice program is nearing its end.

TAGS: Illinois, Invest in Kids, School Choice Week

State lawmaker incomes grow at double rate of Illinoisans’ incomes

By Bryce Hill

01/17/2023

State lawmakers have voted to increase their salaries by more than $17,000 during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration, far outpacing growth in their constituent’s incomes.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay

Illinois lawmaker pay 4th-highest in U.S. after Pritzker OKs $12,000 raises

By Bryce Hill

01/13/2023

State lawmaker pay has increased by more than $17,000 during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration. State representatives and senators make the most for jobs considered less than full time, 4th in U.S. overall.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay

Illinois House bill would give more power to Chicago Public Schools unions

By Mailee Smith

01/10/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union has already created havoc for kids and parents in Chicago Public Schools, with 5 work stoppages in the past 11 years. Now lawmakers are giving principals and other employees union powers, creating more potential instability for students and parents.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Pritzker signs bill giving $12K pay raises to state lawmakers

By Brad Weisenstein

01/09/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker approved raises for the statewide elected leaders just ahead of their inaugurations Jan. 9. State lawmakers will get $12,094 raises when they take office Jan. 11. Big hikes also went to Pritzker’s department leaders and their assistants.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay

Illinois House sneaks through $12,000 pay raises for themselves

By Brad Weisenstein

01/07/2023

A late Friday-night move would add nearly $12,000 to the salary of each state lawmaker, raise salaries for statewide elected leaders such as the governor, and boost salaries for agency directors and their subordinates. Plus, they get cost-of-living increases.

TAGS: Illinois House of Representatives, lawmaker pay

How Illinois lawmakers can give school choice to 9,000 low-income students

By Dylan Sharkey

01/06/2023

A scholarship program that has helped more than 9,000 low-income students choose to attend private schools will expire at the end of 2023 unless lawmakers expand the Invest in Kids Act.

TAGS: Invest in Kids, school choice

Chicago Teachers Union contributions to Illinois General Assembly members

By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko

01/01/2023

Don’t know your local lawmaker? Use our lawmaker lookup tool to find out.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly

Illinois General Assembly

Lightfoot 2nd Chicago mayor to call on Springfield for pension reform

Chicago Teachers Union spends $17M on Illinois political campaigns

School Choice Week a reminder why Illinois families love the Invest in Kids Act

State lawmaker incomes grow at double rate of Illinoisans’ incomes

Illinois lawmaker pay 4th-highest in U.S. after Pritzker OKs $12,000 raises

Illinois House bill would give more power to Chicago Public Schools unions

Pritzker signs bill giving $12K pay raises to state lawmakers

Illinois House sneaks through $12,000 pay raises for themselves

How Illinois lawmakers can give school choice to 9,000 low-income students

Chicago Teachers Union contributions to Illinois General Assembly members

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