Rural areas lose to cities amid Illinois’ historic population loss

By Bryce Hill

08/13/2021

Chicago and other urban areas in Illinois gained people compared to the rural areas, with 87 of 102 counties losing people in the 2020 U.S. Census.

TAGS: Chicago, Illinois, population, U.S. Census Bureau

Over 22,000 Illinois school employees stop handing their pay to a union

By Mailee Smith

08/12/2021

Educators across Illinois are exercising their rights, with over 22,000 fewer school employees sending dues or fees to teachers unions than in 2017.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, opt out, teachers union

Here’s how IEA, NEA unions said they spent teachers’ money in 2020

By Mailee Smith

08/12/2021

The Illinois Education Association and National Education Association filed federal reports showing how they spent money in 2020. Little was spent on what most assume is a teachers union’s central mission – representing teachers.

How does your teachers union spend money? Here’s what AFT, IFT reported in 2020

By Mailee Smith

08/12/2021

The Illinois Federation of Teachers and National Federation of Teachers filed federal reports showing how they spent money in 2020. Little was spent on what most assume is a teachers union’s central mission – representing teachers.

S&P: Growing debt, refusing reforms, population loss doom Illinois public pensions

By Noah Shaar

08/11/2021

S&P Global Ratings said Illinois’ public pension systems are in trouble, and will get worse thanks to the Illinois Exodus and because state leaders refuse to fix the problems.

TAGS: debt, Illinois, outmigration, pensions, population

Pritzker’s economic record: Weak labor market, widening racial gaps

By Orphe Divounguy

08/11/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said his reelection campaign will focus on his record of protecting people and their jobs. A close look at that record shows Illinois with worse employment prospects and greater racial disparities than the rest of the U.S.

Chicago’s debt grows to $43,700 per taxpayer despite federal COVID-19 aid

By Perry Zhao

08/10/2021

Fiscal watchdog Truth in Accounting’s July 2021 report showed the Windy City’s pension-fueled debt rose by $2.3 billion from 2019 to 2020 despite receiving substantial federal aid during the pandemic.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, debt

Even private schools must mask up after Pritzker flip-flop

By Patrick Andriesen

08/06/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker promised to respect local school boards and private school autonomy, until too few were doing what he wanted. So he reversed himself, mandating masks for both private and public Illinois schools.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, masks, private schools

Illinois unemployment accounts repeatedly hijacked by thieves

By Patrick Andriesen

08/06/2021

Unemployment benefits are being stolen by thieves who redirect the funds. Repeat victims say the problem is within Illinois Department of Employment Security computers, but the state won’t release data to pinpoint the problem.

Rod Blagojevich sues so he can again seek election

By Noah Shaar

08/04/2021

Rod Blagojevich is out of federal prison, and now wants to be back on the ballot. Illinois’ former governor sued Aug. 2 for the right to run for public office again despite his conviction for public corruption.

TAGS: corruption, Illinois, Rod Blagojevich

Illinois

Rural areas lose to cities amid Illinois’ historic population loss

Over 22,000 Illinois school employees stop handing their pay to a union

Here’s how IEA, NEA unions said they spent teachers’ money in 2020

How does your teachers union spend money? Here’s what AFT, IFT reported in 2020

S&P: Growing debt, refusing reforms, population loss doom Illinois public pensions

Pritzker’s economic record: Weak labor market, widening racial gaps

Chicago’s debt grows to $43,700 per taxpayer despite federal COVID-19 aid

Even private schools must mask up after Pritzker flip-flop

Illinois unemployment accounts repeatedly hijacked by thieves

Rod Blagojevich sues so he can again seek election

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