Teachers’ rights: What if someone doesn’t want to participate in CTU’s 1-day strike on April 1?

03/30/2016

CPS teachers who are unsure about their options on April 1 can call 312-805-0969 for information or assistance.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, strike

Not forgiven, not forgotten: The injustice of Illinois’ scarlet letters

By Austin Berg

03/30/2016

Chicago ordinance with good intentions makes job-seeking harder for applicants who are young or black

By Mark Adams

03/30/2016

The unintended consequences of a Chicago credit-check ordinance have harmed young and black workers, and show why lawmakers should focus on repealing the laws preventing employment for Illinoisans, rather than creating new ones.

TAGS: employment

Governments in Illinois can take your property without charging you with a crime

By Jeffrey Schwab, Bryant Jackson-Green

03/29/2016

A court decision involving the government’s seizure of more than $270,000 from two Chicagoans highlights major problems with civil asset forfeiture.

TAGS: civil asset forfeiture, criminal justice reform

Reforms that get ex-offenders back to work – and keep them out of jail – could save Illinois millions

By Bryant Jackson-Green

03/28/2016

Even a very small reduction in recidivism – just 5 percent – would save Illinois taxpayers nearly $187 million over nine years. But if Illinois’ recidivism rate stays the same, taxpayers will pay approximately $5.7 billion for recidivism costs over the next five years.

TAGS: criminal justice reform

Madigan’s middle class: Pain for the many, perks for the few

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

03/26/2016

Middle-class Illinoisans who aren’t employed by the government are suffering, but Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan stands in the way of solutions.

Chicago area sees greatest population loss of any major U.S. city in 2015

By Michael Lucci

03/25/2016

Census data are sounding a warning signal that Chicago and Illinois policy leaders don’t necessarily want to hear.

TAGS: Chicago, outmigration, population

Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling

By Chris Lentino

03/25/2016

In an effort to shore up pension debt, Chicago officials in 2014 adopted a pension-reform package that included raising the telephone tax. Though the Illinois Supreme Court struck down these changes, the tax hike remains.

TAGS: taxes

When second chances come first: An Illinois program breaking the cycle of crime

By Austin Berg

03/25/2016

Chicago pension decision silver linings

03/24/2016

Despite striking down a pension-reform package aimed at reducing Chicago’s pension debt, the Illinois Supreme Court opened the door for future legislative reforms.

Illinois

Teachers’ rights: What if someone doesn’t want to participate in CTU’s 1-day strike on April 1?

Not forgiven, not forgotten: The injustice of Illinois’ scarlet letters

Chicago ordinance with good intentions makes job-seeking harder for applicants who are young or black

Governments in Illinois can take your property without charging you with a crime

Reforms that get ex-offenders back to work – and keep them out of jail – could save Illinois millions

Madigan’s middle class: Pain for the many, perks for the few

Chicago area sees greatest population loss of any major U.S. city in 2015

Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling

When second chances come first: An Illinois program breaking the cycle of crime

Chicago pension decision silver linings

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