Pensions make homeownership unaffordable in Illinois

By LyLena Estabine

10/23/2025

The dream of homeownership is pushed out of reach by low housing supply and soaring property taxes driven by pension costs.

Pensions take up money that should go to Illinois classrooms

By LyLena Estabine

10/23/2025

Pension costs take a growing share of school funding, driving up property taxes and leaving less for teachers and students.

Every Illinois metro has fewer homes for sale than in 2018

By LyLena Estabine, Jon Josko

10/22/2025

Illinois home prices have jumped 48% since 2018 while available housing inventory has plummeted across all 26 tracked metro areas, creating a housing crisis driven largely by restrictive zoning laws and the nation’s highest property taxes.

Pritzker absolutely opposed to Johnson’s Chicago corporate “head tax”

By Patrick Andriesen

10/21/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker told the Chicago Economic Club Oct. 21 that he absolutely opposes Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to revive the corporate “head tax” as part of his new budget proposal.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, JB Pritzker

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

Budget black hole: Pensions and debt devour Chicago budget

By Geoff Feinstein

10/21/2025

Pensions and debt dominate Chicago’s spending increases, crowding out core services. Without reform, rising obligations will drag the city into deeper financial trouble.

Harvey declaring financial distress under $164M debt

By LyLena Estabine

10/21/2025

Harvey is seeking state aid under Illinois’ Financially Distressed City Law, but without pension reform, state oversight offers little hope to fix its $164M crisis.

Scholarships can help special ed students denied services in Chicago

By Lilly Rossi

10/20/2025

More than 2,000 special education students in Chicago Public Schools are denied support they’re legally guaranteed. Federal scholarships could help pay for service, but only Gov. Pritzker opts Illinois into them.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

Illinois SNAP errors could cost taxpayers up to $700 million in penalties

By Lauren Zuar

10/20/2025

Illinois risks millions in penalties under new federal law because of errors in determining who qualifies for food assistance. To protect taxpayers and struggling families, the state must increase its administrative precision.

TAGS: SNAP

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

Illinois

Pensions make homeownership unaffordable in Illinois

Pensions take up money that should go to Illinois classrooms

Every Illinois metro has fewer homes for sale than in 2018

Pritzker absolutely opposed to Johnson’s Chicago corporate “head tax”

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

Budget black hole: Pensions and debt devour Chicago budget

Harvey declaring financial distress under $164M debt

Scholarships can help special ed students denied services in Chicago

Illinois SNAP errors could cost taxpayers up to $700 million in penalties

Virginia raises bar for students while Illinois hides struggles

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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