Why ‘temporary’ income tax hike, retirement tax won’t fix Illinois pensions

By Justin Carlson

02/24/2023

A Chicago civic group suggests either increasing the state’s personal and corporate income taxes for 10 years or implementing a retirement tax to help pay for the state’s worst-in-the-nation pension debt. Here are the problems with that plan.

Poll: Chicago voters favor school choice, property tax freeze ahead of Chicago mayoral election

By Dylan Sharkey, Patrick Andriesen

02/23/2023

Sixty-five percent of Chicagoans support Illinois’ Invest in Kids school choice program. Despite the city’s problems, a majority of residents want to stay and a majority want the city to freeze property taxes to make living in the city more affordable.

TAGS: Chicago, Invest in Kids

What you need to know about who’s running for Chicago mayor

By Joe Tabor, Perry Zhao

02/18/2023

Nine candidates are asking to be Chicago’s next mayor. The election is outside the normal election cycle, meaning voter turnout is low despite the mayor’s impact on crime, education, the economy and Chicagoans’ taxes. Here’s what to know about the nine candidates.

TAGS: Chicago

Pritzker proposes $440 million for young child initiatives

By Dylan Sharkey

02/15/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to spend $440 million for universal preschool and other initiatives for low-income young children. But shouldn’t Illinois pay its old bills before taking on new expenses?

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Full text of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State speech

02/15/2023

Here’s what Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker had to say about how Illinois is faring and what his priorities will be in the fiscal year 2024 budget.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

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

Big batteries to store renewable energy create fire hazard

By Dylan Sharkey

02/14/2023

As Illinois pushes for more renewable energy, it comes with a fire hazard risk at battery storage centers. A battery storage facility explosion in Arizona hurt eight firefighters. There have been three other fires.

Next Chicago mayor needs to put students ahead of politics

By Mailee Smith

02/13/2023

The incoming mayor will inherit a troubled Chicago Public Schools system, a strike-happy Chicago Teachers Union with an expiring contract, and a transition to a fully elected school board. Whoever is elected must put kids first.

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

Pritzker signs bill allowing Chicago Public Schools principals to unionize

By Mailee Smith

02/11/2023

Chicago Public Schools principals already make nearly 30% more than their peers in the rest of the state. A newly signed law allows them to unionize and push for even more.

TAGS: government unions

Illinois Senate Bill would allow noncitizen parents, guardians to vote in school board elections

By Dylan Sharkey

02/10/2023

Illinois lawmakers are considering granting noncitizens the right to vote in school board elections if their children are in the school district. Registering to vote would come with a warning about possible risks under U.S. immigration law.

Illinois

Why ‘temporary’ income tax hike, retirement tax won’t fix Illinois pensions

Poll: Chicago voters favor school choice, property tax freeze ahead of Chicago mayoral election

What you need to know about who’s running for Chicago mayor

Pritzker proposes $440 million for young child initiatives

Full text of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State speech

Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan

Big batteries to store renewable energy create fire hazard

Next Chicago mayor needs to put students ahead of politics

Pritzker signs bill allowing Chicago Public Schools principals to unionize

Illinois Senate Bill would allow noncitizen parents, guardians to vote in school board elections

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