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

Illinois’ unemployment rate for June is 5th-worst in U.S.

By Justin Carlson

07/27/2023

Illinois added 8,400 jobs in June, but unemployment remained high compared to the rest of the nation. The state still hasn’t recovered the jobs it had before the pandemic.

What to expect when cash bail ends in Illinois

By Joe Tabor

07/27/2023

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled ending cash bail is constitutional. What does that mean for Illinois? It means ready or not, the system changes Sept. 18.

TAGS: cash bail

Poll: 70% of Illinois voters support ending grocery tax permanently

By Dylan Sharkey, Jon Josko

07/21/2023

Repealing the state grocery tax has support from 7 in 10 Illinois voters, according to an Illinois Policy Institute poll. Illinois is one of just 13 states with a grocery tax.

TAGS: grocery tax

Illinois Federation of Teachers spends little on representing teachers, members flee

By Mailee Smith

07/21/2023

Just 26% of IFT’s spending in 2022 was on representing teachers. IFT’s questionable spending could be why nearly 16,500 Illinois public school employees have chosen to distance themselves from the union.

TAGS: IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, teachers union

NEA, IEA spend little on representing teachers, but prioritize politics

By Mailee Smith

07/21/2023

Less than 8% of NEA and IEA’s spending in 2022 was on representing teachers, according to the unions’ federal reports. That could be why nearly 203,000 public school employees – including more than 6,000 in Illinois – have left NEA since 2017.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association, teachers union

Poll: Illinois voters 3-1 in support of scholarships for low-income students

By Dylan Sharkey, Jon Josko

07/20/2023

Illinois voters polled were 3 to 1 in support of the state’s only school choice program, Invest in Kids. But unless lawmakers act, the program ends this year.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Poll: Illinois’ automatic gasoline tax hikes opposed by 70%

By Dylan Sharkey, Jon Josko

07/20/2023

More than 70% of Illinois voters polled are against automatic annual gas tax increases. Illinoisans faced two automatic hikes in 2023.

TAGS: gas tax

Report: Illinois, Chicago public pension crises worst in U.S.

By Bryce Hill, Justin Carlson

07/19/2023

Illinois state and local pension debt now tallies $218 billion with both debt to GDP and funding ratios the worst in the nation, according to a new Equable Institute report.

TAGS: pensions

Illinois Supreme Court: Criminal cash bail goes away Sept. 18

By Dylan Sharkey

07/18/2023

Illinois will become the first state to eliminate cash bail. The Illinois Supreme Court on July 18 upheld the Pretrial Fairness Act, ruling it doesn’t violate the Illinois Constitution.

TAGS: cash bail, Illinois Supreme Court

Illinois

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

Illinois’ unemployment rate for June is 5th-worst in U.S.

What to expect when cash bail ends in Illinois

Poll: 70% of Illinois voters support ending grocery tax permanently

Illinois Federation of Teachers spends little on representing teachers, members flee

NEA, IEA spend little on representing teachers, but prioritize politics

Poll: Illinois voters 3-1 in support of scholarships for low-income students

Poll: Illinois’ automatic gasoline tax hikes opposed by 70%

Report: Illinois, Chicago public pension crises worst in U.S.

Illinois Supreme Court: Criminal cash bail goes away Sept. 18

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