Archdiocese of Chicago students thrive. Chicago Public Schools students struggle.

By Mailee Smith, Hannah Schmid

10/11/2023

But nearly 3,000 low-income students enrolled in Chicago’s parochial schools will lose their scholarships if the Invest in Kids Act is not extended by state lawmakers this fall.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago eliminates subminimum wage for tipped workers

By Dylan Sharkey

10/09/2023

Tipped workers in Chicago will be phased into the city’s $15.80 minimum wage. Proponents said higher wages will help staffing shortages, but opponents said it will lead to higher costs, fewer jobs and maybe backfire for tipped workers’ pay.

TAGS: Chicago

Union bosses boost their kids’ dreams as they kill arts students’ hopes

By Dylan Sharkey

10/05/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union and the Illinois Education Association have leaders sending their children to private schools for brighter futures. So why are they working to end the hopes of two performing arts students and their 9,600 low-income peers?

TAGS: teachers union

1 in 6 Chicago third graders can read at level, signaling dismal futures

By Hannah Schmid

10/04/2023

Few Chicago third-grade students can read at grade level. Even fewer low income and minority students are at grade level in reading. Research shows this is a warning sign for Chicago students’ academic success and subsequent earning potential.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Stacy Davis Gates’ income is 543% more than families she wants denied scholarships

By Mailee Smith

10/02/2023

New data filed with the U.S. Department of Labor shows Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates’ total income tops $289,000. The average household income of families receiving the Invest in Kids scholarships she wants to kill “for good” is just $45,046.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Invest in Kids, Stacy Davis Gates

Low 3rd-grade literacy is warning for future learning, earning potential

By Hannah Schmid

10/02/2023

Few Illinois third-grade students can read at grade level. Even fewer low-income and minority students are at grade level in reading. Research shows this is a warning sign for Illinois students’ academic success and adult earning potential.

TAGS: public

Chicago Teachers Union maintains legislative assault on low-income parents

By Mailee Smith

09/25/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union has registered opposition to just one bill in the Illinois General Assembly’s current legislative session: one that would have created opportunities for low-income parents to send their children to private schools.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Invest in Kids

Illinois can fight poverty by reducing excessive regulations that limit jobs

By Joe Tabor

09/25/2023

Data from the Mercatus Center shows Illinois faces a high regulatory burden at both the federal and state level. Research shows these regulations place a disproportionately high burden on the poor, helping to keep them in poverty.

TAGS: regulations

Fact check: 7 things school choice opponents got wrong about Invest in Kids

By Hannah Schmid

09/22/2023

Illinois Families for Public Schools released a pamphlet with misleading information about the Invest in Kids Tax-Credit Scholarship program and its effects on the public school system in Illinois. Here are corrections to seven things they got wrong.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union restricts public school choice, too

By Paul Vallas

09/22/2023

Stacy Davis Gates’ hypocrisy isn’t just about denying families the private school choices she enjoys. It’s also a blatant attack on public school options, particularly public charter schools.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Illinois

Archdiocese of Chicago students thrive. Chicago Public Schools students struggle.

Chicago eliminates subminimum wage for tipped workers

Union bosses boost their kids’ dreams as they kill arts students’ hopes

1 in 6 Chicago third graders can read at level, signaling dismal futures

Stacy Davis Gates’ income is 543% more than families she wants denied scholarships

Low 3rd-grade literacy is warning for future learning, earning potential

Chicago Teachers Union maintains legislative assault on low-income parents

Illinois can fight poverty by reducing excessive regulations that limit jobs

Fact check: 7 things school choice opponents got wrong about Invest in Kids

Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union restricts public school choice, too

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