9 years of decline: Expect Chicago to be No. 4 behind Houston by 2035

By Bryce Hill

05/16/2024

Chicago lost 8,208 residents in 2023, the third-largest decline of any city in the nation. At this rate, the Second City will drop from No. 3 to No. 4 by 2035

TAGS: Chicago, population

Chicago Teachers Union in Springfield seeking more cash when they already get a lot

By Hannah Schmid

05/15/2024

Chicago Public Schools teachers traveled May 15 to Springfield for a “day of action” to ask for $1.1 billion in additional state funding. CPS already spends the second-most per student of Illinois’ 10 largest school districts.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union cutting class to lobby Springfield lawmakers

By Dylan Sharkey

05/09/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union is directing members to skip class during the school day to lobby state lawmakers in Springfield. Union members will be seeking more taxes at taxpayer expense.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Red-light cameras take another $500M from Illinois drivers in 5 years

By Patrick Andriesen

05/09/2024

Local governments generated $500 million from red-light camera tickets since 2019, with Chicago alone collecting $223.8 million. Total since 2008: $1.56 billion.

TAGS: red light cameras

Lawmakers take all 3 advisory question spots on November ballot

By Dylan Sharkey

05/08/2024

Illinois lawmakers gave voters three issues on which they can offer opinions during the November election. They filled all the available ballot spots, leading a group with their own advisory question to cry ‘foul.’

Phoenix’s building permit privatization could help reverse Illinois’ housing woes

By Joe Tabor

05/07/2024

Phoenix, Arizona, established a program to streamline building permits for certain projects. It has seen results. It could help Illinois’ drop in housing permits.

TAGS: affordable housing

Editorial: State lawmakers in Springfield pass bill to cut off competition in 78 races

By Hilary Gowins

05/06/2024

Why did SB 2412 need to pass on May 2, in the middle of the election cycle, weeks after the primary election but still well ahead of the November general election? Many candidates had already started the complicated process of petition gathering and paperwork under the old rules. What justifies changing those rules in the middle of the game?

TAGS: election laws

Chicago Teachers Union wants leave so teachers can work for CTU Foundation, Mayor Johnson

By Mailee Smith

05/06/2024

CTU’s contract demands include leave time for Chicago Public Schools employees to work for the union’s non-profit organization and accept city government appointments, including from former CTU staffer Mayor Brandon Johnson.

CTU demands partisan rallies so it can electioneer students

By Dylan Sharkey

05/01/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union’s 142-page list of demands includes codifying their most recent political rally. They took students out of class, hit them with propaganda and then marched them to the polls to vote.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois state gas tax to hit 47 cents July 1

By Dylan Sharkey

04/30/2024

After July 1, Illinois motorists will be averaging $184 more in state gas taxes since Gov. J.B. Pritzker doubled them in 2019. Illinois motorists already pay the second-highest gas taxes in the nation, and inflation adjustments just take them higher.

TAGS: gas tax

Illinois

9 years of decline: Expect Chicago to be No. 4 behind Houston by 2035

Chicago Teachers Union in Springfield seeking more cash when they already get a lot

Chicago Teachers Union cutting class to lobby Springfield lawmakers

Red-light cameras take another $500M from Illinois drivers in 5 years

Lawmakers take all 3 advisory question spots on November ballot

Phoenix’s building permit privatization could help reverse Illinois’ housing woes

Editorial: State lawmakers in Springfield pass bill to cut off competition in 78 races

Chicago Teachers Union wants leave so teachers can work for CTU Foundation, Mayor Johnson

CTU demands partisan rallies so it can electioneer students

Illinois state gas tax to hit 47 cents July 1

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