Illinois Education Association spends little on teachers

By Mailee Smith

12/19/2025

Just 17% of the union’s spending in 2025 was on representing teachers. But it spent a record-breaking amount on politics and paid many staffers over $100K.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association

11 reasons Illinoisans can be thankful this year

By Lilly Rossi

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, Illinoisans should give thanks for Illinois’ heritage, opportunities, wins against new taxes and educational freedom.

Over 2-in-5 Chicago teachers chronically absent

By Hannah Schmid

11/12/2025

Last year, 43% of Chicago Public Schools teachers missed 10 or more school days. Statewide, it was 34%.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Low-income students 16 points below Illinois average

By Hannah Schmid

11/05/2025

New Illinois State Board of Education data shows low-income and minority public school students are struggling, scoring well below average.

Just 2-in-5 Chicago students read at grade level under lowered proficiency standards

By Hannah Schmid

10/30/2025

Chicago Public Schools students struggle in reading and math as just 2-in-5 read at grade level and about 1-in-4 do math proficiently. And that’s after Illinois lowered proficiency standards to make the numbers look better.

Half of Illinois students reading at grade level, fewer in math under loosened standards

By Hannah Schmid

10/30/2025

Newly released data from state assessments show just half of Illinois public school students could read at grade level and 2-in-5 could do math proficiently in 2025. That’s after the state lowered proficiency standards to make the numbers look better.

Chicago Teachers Union’s radical agenda is coming to a school district near you

By Mailee Smith

10/21/2025

The scandal-plagued president of the Chicago Teachers Union will now also be leading the Illinois Federation of Teachers, which has affiliates in at least 200 districts across the state.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, Stacy Davis Gates

Virginia raises bar for students while Illinois hides struggles

By Hannah Schmid

10/20/2025

Low student proficiency is being hidden in Illinois. Virginia raised its expectations for students.

TAGS: public schools

Studies not enough to cut administrative bloat in Illinois schools

By Lilly Rossi

09/15/2025

The Illinois State Board of Education is giving school districts an incentive to study consolidation, but a flawed process still stands in the way. The state has too many school districts, driving up administrative costs and property taxes.

Back to school in Chicago: fewer than 1-in-3 students read at grade level

By Hannah Schmid

08/18/2025

Students returned to their Chicago public schools on Aug. 18. The most recent test data available for Chicago students shows there’s a lot of room for improvement in the new school year.

Illinois State Board of Education

Illinois Education Association spends little on teachers

11 reasons Illinoisans can be thankful this year

Over 2-in-5 Chicago teachers chronically absent

Low-income students 16 points below Illinois average

Just 2-in-5 Chicago students read at grade level under lowered proficiency standards

Half of Illinois students reading at grade level, fewer in math under loosened standards

Chicago Teachers Union’s radical agenda is coming to a school district near you

Virginia raises bar for students while Illinois hides struggles

Studies not enough to cut administrative bloat in Illinois schools

Back to school in Chicago: fewer than 1-in-3 students read at grade level

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