5 years later, Metra, CTA, Pace nowhere near pre-COVID levels

By Ravi Mishra, Dylan Sharkey, Charlotte Rotkis

07/25/2025

Ridership on Metra, the Chicago Transit Authority and Pace is still down 30% from pre-pandemic levels. The agency overseeing all three needs to look at spending before demanding $1.5 billion from taxpayers.

Illinois Federation of Teachers likes trans restrooms; dislikes cops, charter schools

By Lilly Rossi

07/24/2025

The Illinois Federation of Teachers, the parent union of the Chicago Teachers Union, should be worried about the three Rs, but its main R is “radicalism.” Transgender restrooms, defunding the police and getting rid of charter schools top its radical agenda.

TAGS: IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

Oak Park natural gas ban faces legal challenge

By Jerry Barmore

07/24/2025

In 2024, Oak Park, Illinois, went where Mayor Brandon Johnson tried to take Chicago – banning all natural gas connections in new building projects. The high cost of this inconsequential, feel-good move is getting legal pushback.

Illinois 3X taxes on Juul, Elf Bar, ZYN products to fund more spending

By Ravi Mishra

07/21/2025

In another short-term revenue move, Illinois lawmakers July 1 turned to vape and other nicotine product tax hikes to allow ever-more spending. Taxes on vape products went from 15% to 45% of the wholesale cost.

TAGS: vaping

Nearly 2M Illinoisans still need federal food benefits, most in Chicago

By Sachi Gaonkar

07/18/2025

Although enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program declined marginally in April, nearly 2 million Illinoisans still depend on the federal food aid. Illinois’ food insecurity has yet to recover from the pandemic.

TAGS: SNAP

Chicago aldermanic control issue again stalls granny flats

By LyLena Estabine

07/18/2025

Residential permits across Chicago remained low in 2024, and efforts to increase housing on existing lots have been put off. Some of Chicago’s aldermen want to maintain power over their wards, including thwarting a popular housing solution.

Think Chicago Teachers Union stays in Chicago? Not according to its VP

By Lilly Rossi

07/18/2025

Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Jackson Potter said CTU needs to be more involved in other school districts. That means 52 school districts negotiating teachers contracts this year are targets for CTU tactics and militancy.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

7 ways Illinois lawmakers just made it easier to work

By Rich Witzel

07/18/2025

The Illinois General Assembly passed seven bills that expand the ability of professionals to work in Illinois. Lawmakers need to keep going and reduce the number of government permission slips needed to earn a living.

710k Illinoisans avoid work advancement to keep welfare benefits

By Sachi Gaonkar

07/17/2025

Welfare programs are structured poorly and punish people for working to climb out of poverty. An estimated 710,000 Illinoisans have intentionally hurt their own economic advancement to keep welfare benefits.

TAGS: welfare

Illinois lawmakers making $128K for 70 days of work

By Dylan Sharkey, Charlotte Rotkis

07/17/2025

While Illinois families face one of the nation’s highest unemployment rates, the nation’s highest property taxes and the highest state and local tax burden, state lawmakers just gave themselves another raise. They get $128,000 for 70 days of work.

TAGS: lawmaker pay

Illinois

5 years later, Metra, CTA, Pace nowhere near pre-COVID levels

Illinois Federation of Teachers likes trans restrooms; dislikes cops, charter schools

Oak Park natural gas ban faces legal challenge

Illinois 3X taxes on Juul, Elf Bar, ZYN products to fund more spending

Nearly 2M Illinoisans still need federal food benefits, most in Chicago

Chicago aldermanic control issue again stalls granny flats

Think Chicago Teachers Union stays in Chicago? Not according to its VP

7 ways Illinois lawmakers just made it easier to work

710k Illinoisans avoid work advancement to keep welfare benefits

Illinois lawmakers making $128K for 70 days of work

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