How Chicago Teachers Union election impacts those well past city limits

By Dylan Sharkey

05/01/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union election has two groups competing to lead one of the most militant unions in the nation. CTU has a hand in federal, state and local politics.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Poll: Taxes No. 1 issue for over half of Illinois voters, nearly half would move

By Patrick Andriesen

05/01/2025

More than half of Illinois voters said high taxes were the No. 1 concern for the state, according to an Illinois Policy Institute poll. Of those polled, nearly half said they would also move out of the state if given the chance.

TAGS: outmigration

Chicago Teachers Union pushes $7.3B in taxes on Illinoisans

By Patrick Andriesen

04/30/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union and its partners are pushing nine new or higher taxes that could end up costing Illinoisans $7.3 billion more starting July 1. Their scheme to fill a proposed state budget deficit is likely to backfire and shrink the tax base.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Testimony: Illinois teachers need ‘science of reading’ training to fix illiteracy

By Mailee Smith

04/29/2025

Illinois students will struggle throughout their educations when 7 in 10 third-graders cannot read at grade level. Illinois Policy supports and submitted testimony in favor of a bill to train Illinois teachers in ‘science of reading’ methods to boost early-grade literacy.

TAGS: public schools

Chicago Public Schools hits taxpayers twice with pension pickups

By LyLena Estabine

04/29/2025

Chicago Public Schools teachers hired before 2017 only pay 2% of the required employee contribution for their pensions. The other 7% is picked up by the district, costing $135 million in 2025.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Illinois public workers need stable pensions, not boosted benefits

By LyLena Estabine

04/28/2025

Reports that give Illinois pensions a rotten grade are not evidence government workers need better benefits. What they need is a properly managed, financially solid system. Adding more costs to a fiscal mess helps no one.

Top Illinois pensioners invest $1, get $25 back in retirement benefits

By Patrick Andriesen

04/28/2025

Illinois’ top 50 state pensioners can expect an average lifetime payout of $8.47 million despite just $333,844 being contributed during their careers. That’s $1 in, $25 out, thanks to taxpayers.

Vallas: Pritzker, Johnson keep playing Trump card

By Paul Vallas

04/25/2025

Deep-blue Illinois had President Biden to bail out the state’s and Chicago’s financial failings. Now city and state leaders have President Trump to blame for their financial failings. Eventually, taxpayers will be held responsible.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, JB Pritzker

Illinois gas taxes rising in July, but state leaders still want more

By Dylan Sharkey

04/24/2025

Illinois motorists should expect another motor fuel tax increase this summer when the gas tax jumps again. Illinoisans already pay the second-highest gas taxes in the country, but state leaders are worried about not having enough to spend.

TAGS: gas tax

Illinois spent more on transportation, saw more roads crumble

By Ravi Mishra

04/22/2025

Illinois’ inefficient spending on its transportation needs led the state to spend more as its roads got worse. But there is a solution if the state can minimize politics in the decision process and prioritize public need.

Illinois

How Chicago Teachers Union election impacts those well past city limits

Poll: Taxes No. 1 issue for over half of Illinois voters, nearly half would move

Chicago Teachers Union pushes $7.3B in taxes on Illinoisans

Testimony: Illinois teachers need ‘science of reading’ training to fix illiteracy

Chicago Public Schools hits taxpayers twice with pension pickups

Illinois public workers need stable pensions, not boosted benefits

Top Illinois pensioners invest $1, get $25 back in retirement benefits

Vallas: Pritzker, Johnson keep playing Trump card

Illinois gas taxes rising in July, but state leaders still want more

Illinois spent more on transportation, saw more roads crumble

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