Illinois shorts higher ed by nearly $530M compared to 15 years ago

By Patrick Andriesen

02/01/2024

Illinois’ institutions of higher education will get nearly $530 million less from lawmakers to run this year than they did in fiscal year 2009, adjusted for inflation. Coupled with rapidly rising pensions, students and their families can expect ever-higher tuition costs.

Police report: Chicago Teachers Union president advises punching principal in face

By Dylan Sharkey

02/01/2024

A Chicago elementary school principal filed a police report after he was told Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates recommended his staff punch him in the face.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

2-in-5 Illinois low-income students chronically absent

By Hannah Schmid

02/01/2024

Chronic absenteeism rates among Illinois public school students increased after the pandemic-era school closures. Rates are even higher among low-income students, limiting their futures.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Vallas: Money-hungry CTU forces a fiscal, student achievement crisis

By Paul Vallas

01/29/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union’s answer is always “more money.” But the question is why Chicago’s students are doing so poorly when there’s more money than ever to teach fewer of them.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois corporate income tax rate hits No. 2 in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

01/29/2024

Illinois businesses pay the nation’s second-highest corporate income tax rates. Chicago is considering taxing them more.

Merging downstate police, fire pensions helps but Illinois needs pension reform

By Bryce Hill

01/26/2024

The Illinois Supreme Court voted to uphold a law consolidating 649 municipal police and firefighter pension funds. It may help the state’s pension woes, but amending the Illinois Constitution is needed for real solutions.

5 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, most add jobs in December

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

01/26/2024

Seven of 13 Illinois metro areas added jobs from November to December 2023, led by the St. Louis area. Five metros still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic.

Union membership in Illinois hits record low

By Mailee Smith

01/24/2024

Public and private sector unions in Illinois saw another 27,000 workers reject union membership in 2023. Just 12.8% of public and private-sector workers chose union membership, the lowest it’s been in 34 years on record.

TAGS: unions

More than 2-in-5 Chicago low-income students chronically absent

By Hannah Schmid

01/24/2024

Chronic absenteeism rates are higher in Chicago than statewide, with 44% of low-income Chicago students missing at least 10% of their days in school.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Illinois

Illinois shorts higher ed by nearly $530M compared to 15 years ago

Police report: Chicago Teachers Union president advises punching principal in face

2-in-5 Illinois low-income students chronically absent

Vallas: Money-hungry CTU forces a fiscal, student achievement crisis

Illinois corporate income tax rate hits No. 2 in U.S.

Merging downstate police, fire pensions helps but Illinois needs pension reform

5 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, most add jobs in December

Common-ground solutions to empower Chicago’s poor: A model for America’s cities

Union membership in Illinois hits record low

More than 2-in-5 Chicago low-income students chronically absent

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