How Illinois public school measures fail to add up

By Hannah Schmid

09/15/2023

Contradictory metrics statewide point to poor accountability and grade promotion standards in Illinois. Low-income parents seeking alternatives are hamstrung as lawmakers weigh ending Illinois’ only school choice program.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Report claims union support is increasing, but not for Illinois government unions

By Mailee Smith

09/15/2023

A recent report by a pro-union Illinois organization claims nationwide support for unions is increasing, including in Illinois. The Illinois part is wrong, at least for government unions. Here are three things you need to know about Illinois unions.

TAGS: unions

Fact-check: How misleading is Stacy Davis Gates’ ‘Dear Union Sibling’ letter?

By Perry Zhao

09/13/2023

After Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates admitted to sending her son to a private school while trying to kill school choice for others, she defended her decision to her union’s members. To be kind, it was misleading. Here’s a fact check of it.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Brandon Johnson’s first 100 days

By Mailee Smith, Bryce Hill

08/18/2023

The city of Chicago faces a pension crisis, heightened crime and a failing public school system. New Mayor Brandon Johnson has taken no concrete steps to deal with any of it.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Illinois teachers unions have threatened to strike 188 times since 2010

By Mailee Smith

08/18/2023

Illinois public school students are at a severe disadvantage. Educational unions here can strike, keeping kids out of school, but that’s not the case in other big cities or neighboring states.

TAGS: teachers union

Vallas: Youth crime is on the rise in Chicago – and CTU’s school closures may be to blame for the trend

By Paul Vallas

08/14/2023

Rising crime in Chicago is being driven by an increase in youth crime – as a result of the Chicago Teachers Union’s policies and agenda, which undermine police and public safety.

TAGS: crime, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

One-third of Chicago Public Schools are less than half full

By Hannah Schmid

07/28/2023

Chicago Public Schools has a school utilization problem. Over 34% are less than half full, 57% are underutilized, and 5% are overcrowded. Just 35% are at ideal capacity. The Chicago Teachers Union is preventing solutions.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Vallas: Chicago teens are dying, committing more crimes: work-study can fix that

By Paul Vallas

06/29/2023

Much attention is rightly being paid to how city policy can address the need to provide young people with meaningful opportunities for work. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

CTU told lawmakers what to do over 1,360 times in just 6 legislative sessions

By Mailee Smith

06/08/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union pours money into political campaigns, but that isn’t all. It also pressures lawmakers to abide by its legislative agenda. It’s a one-two political punch: helping elect lawmakers and then telling them what to do.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Full-day kindergarten mandate hits governor’s desk, but costs remain unknown

By Patrick Andriesen

06/03/2023

Illinois may soon require all public school districts to front the costs of a full-day kindergarten program starting in 2027. There is no designated financial support from the state. Opponents said it’s not about a lack of desire or need, but the lack of funding.

Illinois State Board of Education

How Illinois public school measures fail to add up

Report claims union support is increasing, but not for Illinois government unions

Fact-check: How misleading is Stacy Davis Gates’ ‘Dear Union Sibling’ letter?

Brandon Johnson’s first 100 days

Illinois teachers unions have threatened to strike 188 times since 2010

Vallas: Youth crime is on the rise in Chicago – and CTU’s school closures may be to blame for the trend

One-third of Chicago Public Schools are less than half full

Vallas: Chicago teens are dying, committing more crimes: work-study can fix that

CTU told lawmakers what to do over 1,360 times in just 6 legislative sessions

Full-day kindergarten mandate hits governor’s desk, but costs remain unknown

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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