Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan

By Bryce Hill

02/14/2023

After years of enhanced revenue from federal aid, a return to the basic principles of budgeting can put Illinois on the path to long-term financial stability

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

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

Leaving 8th graders ‘Home Alone’ could land Illinois parents in jail

By Patrick Andriesen

12/12/2022

Unlike parents in the Chicagoland Christmas classic, Illinoisans could end up under investigation, arrested or even lose custody for leaving their eighth graders unsupervised this holiday. Parents in 30 other states get to decide for themselves.

TAGS: home alone, Illinois

Chicago Teachers Union backs its own lobbyist for Chicago mayor

By Dylan Sharkey

11/04/2022

Chicago Teachers Union leader Brandon Johnson announced his candidacy for Chicago mayor. It’s the latest push for political power by CTU, which has backed many campaigns including Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

5 ways Amendment 1 is a property tax hike

By Bryce Hill

09/07/2022

Amendment 1 would likely result in a $2,100 tax hike for the typical Illinois homeowner, thanks to increased government union power to demand more.

TAGS: Amendment 1, workers rights

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

By Joe Tabor

08/17/2022

Published Aug. 17, 2022 Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension...

How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois

By Joe Tabor, Aimee Morrissey

08/11/2022

Illinois can draw from other states’ experiences to solve its own gerrymandering problem. One solid solution is as close as Michigan.

TAGS: fair maps, gerrymandering, Illinois

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

8 reasons Illinois voters should reject Amendment 1

By Hannah Schmid

05/09/2022

Illinois voters will decide Nov. 8 whether to adopt a radical amendment to the Illinois Constitution that would hike taxes and empower special interests. Those are just two of eight reasons why Amendment 1 is bad for Illinoisans.

TAGS: Amendment 1, government unions, Illinois

Illinois House of Representatives

Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan

Chicago Teachers Union spends $17M on Illinois political campaigns

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

Leaving 8th graders ‘Home Alone’ could land Illinois parents in jail

Chicago Teachers Union backs its own lobbyist for Chicago mayor

5 ways Amendment 1 is a property tax hike

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois

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

8 reasons Illinois voters should reject Amendment 1

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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