Illinois government pensioners deserve more control over their funds

By LyLena Estabine

01/13/2025

Expanding retirement savings plans as an option for all new Illinois state employees would give them choice and likely improve the state’s pension crisis.

How government unions work against interests of private-sector unions, taxpayers

By Mailee Smith

01/08/2025

Government unions posed threats to public welfare that were recognized by founders of the labor movement and by progressive icon Franklin D. Roosevelt. Those threats have become reality, with government union power dominating – especially in Illinois.

Chicago property taxes have doubled in 10 years, thanks to pensions

By Bryce Hill

12/17/2024

Chicago’s government pension obligations have increased nearly sixfold since 2014, driving up Chicago’s sky-high property taxes. Another increase for 2025 was likely avoided, but city leaders need state lawmakers to make a permanent fix.

Chicago leaders can still fix runaway budget, tax hikes

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

12/13/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson failed to rally the votes for a record $17.3 billion budget imposing $68.5 million in property tax hikes. City leaders have another chance to fix the budget. Here’s how they can do it.

Chicago Teachers Union president paid over $269K but hides union financial records

By Mailee Smith

11/20/2024

Public records show the Chicago Teachers Union and other union entities pay Stacy Davis Gates a very healthy salary. But union transparency ends there. CTU is refusing to show members how it spends their money, despite that mandate in CTU’s rules.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Illinois needs responsible Tier 2 pension reform

By LyLena Estabine

11/14/2024

Illinois is at risk of getting in costly trouble with the federal government over its Tier 2 public employee retirement benefits. Here’s a solution that doesn’t make the state’s monstrous public pension debt even worse.

See if your lawmaker has taken money from the Chicago Teachers Union

By Mailee Smith

11/12/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union has funneled nearly $1.6 to lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly. See if your lawmakers accepted CTU cash.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Election’s over. What’s next for the Chicago School Board?

By Mailee Smith

11/06/2024

Voters have chosen the first 10 members of their elected Chicago Public Schools board. Amid a chaotic fall, here are answers to some common questions about what’s next for public education in Chicago.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools’ financial crisis can again be fixed by state oversight

By Joe Tabor

11/05/2024

By 1980, financial mismanagement led Chicago Public Schools to lose its ability to borrow money, to miss multiple payrolls and vendor payments, and to drop deep into debt. The state stepped in with a financial oversight authority. It’s time to do that again.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

See if your state lawmaker took Chicago Teachers Union money

By Brad Weisenstein

10/28/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union has spent nearly $1.3 million on campaign donations in an effort to influence what happens in the Illinois General Assembly. See if your state lawmakers accepted money from the CTU.

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

Illinois General Assembly

Illinois government pensioners deserve more control over their funds

How government unions work against interests of private-sector unions, taxpayers

Chicago property taxes have doubled in 10 years, thanks to pensions

Chicago leaders can still fix runaway budget, tax hikes

Chicago Teachers Union president paid over $269K but hides union financial records

Illinois needs responsible Tier 2 pension reform

See if your lawmaker has taken money from the Chicago Teachers Union

Election’s over. What’s next for the Chicago School Board?

Chicago Public Schools’ financial crisis can again be fixed by state oversight

See if your state lawmaker took Chicago Teachers Union money

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