Chicago Public Schools’ financial crisis can again be fixed by state oversight

By Joe Tabor

11/05/2024

By 1980, financial mismanagement led Chicago Public Schools to lose its ability to borrow money, to miss multiple payrolls and vendor payments, and to drop deep into debt. The state stepped in with a financial oversight authority. It’s time to do that again.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Check here for Illinois election results

By Brad Weisenstein

11/05/2024

No Election Day noise. Just results for the issues close to home for Illinois' and Chicago's freedom-minded voters.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, pensions, property taxes

Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance

By Patrick Andriesen

11/01/2024

Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or more than 1-in-7 – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in July 2024. One-quarter of county offices reported more than 1-in-5 residents received food help.

TAGS: SNAP

Chicago mayor, Chicago Teachers Union want ‘millionaire tax’ money

By Dylan Sharkey

11/01/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is banking on $300 million in new property taxes from residents in his latest budget. He and his former coworkers at the Chicago Teachers Union want a progressive state income tax to deliver more money to them, not to property tax relief.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Unemployment high in 13 of 15 Illinois metro job markets

By Ravi Mishra

10/30/2024

The statewide Illinois job market outpaced the national average. But 13 of 15 metro areas continued to have higher unemployment rates than the U.S. average.

Illinois schools see small academic gains, but still need improvement

By Hannah Schmid

10/30/2024

New Illinois public school test data shows reading and math proficiency rates for third- through eighth-grade students increased since 2023. Not so for 11th graders, who performed worse in reading and math.

Another Illinois town has passed a grocery tax. Is yours next?

By Dylan Sharkey

10/30/2024

Another Illinois town voted to pass a local grocery tax. See how much grocery shoppers in your community could lose if your local leaders also impose the tax.

TAGS: grocery tax

3 ways a ‘millionaire tax’ would hurt Illinois

By Matheus Cosso

10/29/2024

Illinois voters on Nov. 5 will be asked whether they favor a “millionaire tax.” Here are three things to know about it: the tax can be easily avoided, it fails to provide stable revenue and it discourages or limits economic growth.

Illinois pension crisis would devour ‘millionaire tax’

By Bryce Hill

10/29/2024

Illinois needs to spend $4.9 billion more annually to pay for pensions, but the “millionaire tax” would only raise an estimated $3-$4.3 billion. That’s too little for the pension bills and would leave nothing for property tax relief.

Tax question on November ballot could open door for retirement tax

By Patrick Andriesen

10/29/2024

Implementing the “millionaire” tax would give lawmakers the power to tax retirement income. Every state with a progressive tax also taxes retirement income.

Illinois

Chicago Public Schools’ financial crisis can again be fixed by state oversight

Check here for Illinois election results

Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance

Chicago mayor, Chicago Teachers Union want ‘millionaire tax’ money

Unemployment high in 13 of 15 Illinois metro job markets

Illinois schools see small academic gains, but still need improvement

Another Illinois town has passed a grocery tax. Is yours next?

3 ways a ‘millionaire tax’ would hurt Illinois

Illinois pension crisis would devour ‘millionaire tax’

Tax question on November ballot could open door for retirement tax

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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