Chicago Teachers Union records show it paid Brandon Johnson during run for mayor

By Mailee Smith

11/03/2023

Johnson announced his bid for mayor on Oct. 27, 2022. CTU’s federal filing shows it paid him more than $75,000 during its 2023 fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2023.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Public Schools dysfunction hits low-income, minority students

By Hannah Schmid

11/02/2023

Spring test data shows low-income and minority students in Chicago Public Schools continue to record low proficiency rates. The Chicago Teachers Union wants to kill a school choice program that could help those students.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Census: 97% of Illinoisans moving out head to lower-tax states

By Bryce Hill

11/01/2023

State-to-state migration estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau showed Illinois lost residents to 36 states and Washington, D.C. Nearly all the former Illinoisans moved to lower-tax states.

Most Chicago students still read, perform math below grade level

By Hannah Schmid

11/01/2023

Chicago students made gains in proficiency in reading and math on 2023 state assessments compared to 2022, but most students continue to perform below grade level. Overall student proficiency rates remain worse than before the pandemic.

Governor’s doors locked on students advocating school choice at rally

By Jess Plowman

11/01/2023

A rally Nov. 1 outside Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office in Chicago ended with private school students finding themselves locked out of the public building. They were there to ask Pritzker to save the Invest in Kids program.

TAGS: education, Invest in Kids, JB Pritzker

Illinois student proficiency up in 2023, but two-thirds still read below grade level

By Hannah Schmid

10/30/2023

Illinois state education administrators celebrated academic progress in 2023, but student achievement is still behind where it was before COVID-19 hit. Chronic absenteeism remained high. Enrollment dropped again.

5 problems with report implying Illinois is growing. Problem No. 1: it’s not

By Bryce Hill

10/25/2023

Authors left out key data that contradicted their findings to claim Illinois’ population is growing. Evidence Illinois is shrinking comes independently from the IRS, U.S. Census Bureau, Illinois Department of Revenue and multiple moving companies.

Democratic state lawmakers file bill extending school choice

By Dylan Sharkey

10/25/2023

Chicago state Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar filed a bill that would extend Invest in Kids scholarships through 2028 but would cut total tax credits by one-third and therefore the number of scholarships. Another bill would make the program permanent.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Students at Illinois capitol to demand last-minute scholarship rescue

By Jess Plowman

10/25/2023

Hundreds of students and school choice advocates were at the Illinois House chambers to let state representatives know they expect them to save the Invest in Kids Act for low-income students.

TAGS: Illinois House of Representatives, Invest in Kids, school choice

Illinois city outlaws trick-or-treating beyond age 12

By Dylan Sharkey

10/24/2023

Some Illinois communities see regulating any mischief on Halloween as a real treat. Belleville prohibits anyone older than 12 from trick-or-treating, with fines up to $1,000.

Illinois

Chicago Teachers Union records show it paid Brandon Johnson during run for mayor

Chicago Public Schools dysfunction hits low-income, minority students

Census: 97% of Illinoisans moving out head to lower-tax states

Most Chicago students still read, perform math below grade level

Governor’s doors locked on students advocating school choice at rally

Illinois student proficiency up in 2023, but two-thirds still read below grade level

5 problems with report implying Illinois is growing. Problem No. 1: it’s not

Democratic state lawmakers file bill extending school choice

Students at Illinois capitol to demand last-minute scholarship rescue

Illinois city outlaws trick-or-treating beyond age 12

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