Pritzker changes mask rules in 35th COVID disaster proclamation

By Dylan Sharkey

10/18/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued his 35th COVID-19 disaster proclamation, extending his powers for 70% of his term.

Illinois court blocks petition to remove Amendment 1 from Nov. 8 ballot

By Dylan Sharkey

08/31/2022

An Illinois appellate court cleared the way for Amendment 1 to stay on the Nov. 8 ballot. Regardless of whether the change to the state constitution might violate the U.S. Constitution, the process for putting it on the ballot was valid, justices ruled.

TAGS: Amendment 1, workers rights

Get the facts: Amendment 1 study guide

By Mailee Smith, Bryce Hill

08/26/2022

The so-called “Workers’ Rights Amendment” would lead to substantial tax increases for working Illinoisans and small business owners.

TAGS: Amendment 1, workers rights amendment

Pritzker administration failed to report unemployment fraud data

By Dylan Sharkey

08/16/2022

A U.S. Department of Labor report stated Illinois failed to report theft of pandemic relief money as required. Illinois lost over half of pandemic unemployment funds to fraud.

TAGS: fraud, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker

Illinois retiree: Amendment 1 could cost me my home

08/12/2022

Voters decide Nov. 8 whether to pass Amendment 1 – a hidden tax hike that could cost Illinois taxpayers, including fixed-income retirees, their homes and put homeownership farther out of reach for young families.

TAGS: Amendment 1

NEA dues rise, spending on teachers drops for 6 straight years

By Mailee Smith

08/10/2022

Federal documents filed by the National Education Association show just 5% of its total spending was on representing members in 2021. NEA and its state affiliate – the Illinois Education Association – prioritized leadership salaries and politics over teachers.

National teachers union pushes mandatory masking, vaccines

07/07/2022

Delegates to the National Education Association’s annual meeting again called for mask and vaccine mandates, as well as remote learning. On Nov. 8 voters will decide whether to grant Illinois union bosses more power to set school policy.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association, masks, vaccine mandate

Unintended consequences: Amendment 1 could allow prisoners to unionize

By Amy Korte

06/09/2022

There’s been a 50-year national push to unionize inmate workers in prisons – including a 2020 article published by Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. The rights granted in Amendment 1 to all “employees” could result in Illinois prison unions.

TAGS: Amendment 1, Illinois, prison, unions

Longer public schools closed for pandemic, more students they lost

By Hannah Schmid

05/26/2022

New research shows remote learning spurred the enrollment declines plaguing public schools. Schools with more in-person instruction lost fewer students.

TAGS: COVID-19, public schools, teachers union

Illinois voters got just 1 proposed constitutional amendment on ballot in 52 years

By Joe Tabor

05/19/2022

During the past decade, state lawmakers have asked to change the Illinois Constitution six times while voters have failed to get any changes on the ballot. In 52 years, Illinoisans have only gotten one amendment question before voters. That needs to change.

TAGS: constitutional amendment, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Constitution

Illinois General Assembly

Pritzker changes mask rules in 35th COVID disaster proclamation

Illinois court blocks petition to remove Amendment 1 from Nov. 8 ballot

Get the facts: Amendment 1 study guide

Pritzker administration failed to report unemployment fraud data

Illinois retiree: Amendment 1 could cost me my home

NEA dues rise, spending on teachers drops for 6 straight years

National teachers union pushes mandatory masking, vaccines

Unintended consequences: Amendment 1 could allow prisoners to unionize

Longer public schools closed for pandemic, more students they lost

Illinois voters got just 1 proposed constitutional amendment on ballot in 52 years

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