More states give parents control over education funds, so why not Illinois?

By Hannah Schmid

04/30/2024

There are 18 private school choice programs called “education savings accounts” in 16 states and growing. But Illinois leaders refuse to let parents decide how their taxes are used to educate their children.

TAGS: education spending

Chicago speed cameras fined motorists over $102M in 2023

By Patrick Andriesen

04/29/2024

Chicago speed cameras hit motorists with over $102 million in fines during 2023, and $879 million total since they started flashing a decade ago. The mayor promised to eliminate the automated traffic cams, which issued a ticket every 20 seconds last year.

TAGS: Chicago

Illinois may take on massive public pension boost with no clue on costs

By Bryce Hill

04/23/2024

Several bills that enhance Tier 2 state worker pension benefits, reduce retirement ages, allow for large end-of-career lump-sum payments and other pension sweeteners are moving through the Illinois General Assembly. They appear to be heading for a vote.

Chicago among 4 of 15 largest cities unable to recall mayor

By Dylan Sharkey

04/23/2024

One Chicago resident is petitioning to give people the power to recall Chicago’s mayor. He needs more than 56,000 fellow voters to agree before it can be placed on the November ballot.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

9 Illinois metro areas add jobs in March, 6 await pandemic recovery

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

04/19/2024

Job gains in Illinois’ metropolitan areas were off to a slow start in 2024. Six areas remain behind where they were before the pandemic.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment

Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd worst in the nation

By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko

04/19/2024

Illinois employment growth lagged the nation and neighboring states in March 2024. Unemployment was third highest in the U.S.

TAGS: unemployment

Chicago Teachers Union demands 10X boost in mediocre school model

By Hannah Schmid

04/19/2024

Chicago Public Schools’ 20 ‘sustainable community schools’ perform worse on average than other Chicago public schools in reading and math, absenteeism, graduation rates and more. The Chicago Teachers Union is demanding 180 more of the failing schools.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

How economically competitive is Illinois? Not very

By Jerry Barmore

04/16/2024

A new survey of economic indicators ranks Illinois 48th in the nation on 15 measures. High taxes, slow economic growth, people moving away and high public debt all pushed the state down.

Bill would broaden Illinois agency’s emergency powers

By Dylan Sharkey

04/16/2024

A bill expanding emergency powers for a state agency passed the Illinois Senate and is in the Illinois House. Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared COVID-19 an emergency for more than 3 years, so why is the bill needed?

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Another parochial school forced to close without Invest in Kids

By Dylan Sharkey

04/15/2024

St. Bede School in Ingleside will shut its doors without the support from Invest in Kids scholarships. Even a $500K fundraising effort failed to save the school.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Illinois

More states give parents control over education funds, so why not Illinois?

Chicago speed cameras fined motorists over $102M in 2023

Illinois may take on massive public pension boost with no clue on costs

Chicago among 4 of 15 largest cities unable to recall mayor

9 Illinois metro areas add jobs in March, 6 await pandemic recovery

Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd worst in the nation

Chicago Teachers Union demands 10X boost in mediocre school model

How economically competitive is Illinois? Not very

Bill would broaden Illinois agency’s emergency powers

Another parochial school forced to close without Invest in Kids

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