Illinois government unions celebrate Labor Day with 36,000 fewer members

By Mailee Smith

08/31/2023

Labor Day this year leaves Illinois government unions fewer members to celebrate with. It appears to be the unions’ own fault. Over 36,000 workers have distanced themselves since 2017.

TAGS: government unions

Illinois cannabis buyers pay 89% more than U.S. average

By Patrick Andriesen

08/29/2023

The new report published by Headset found Illinoisans are paying 89% more for the average cannabis item than the rest of the nation. Researchers attribute the high prices to stifled competition.

TAGS: marijuana

Chicago Fact Sheet

08/28/2023

Chicago is one of the nation's greatest cities, but it has challenges. An outline of four of the most significant problems.

Mapes corruption conviction again shows need for 4 Illinois ethics reforms

By Joe Tabor

08/26/2023

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s former chief of staff and confidant was found guilty of perjury. His conviction is a reminder Springfield has a long way to go on ethics reform.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, Tim Mapes

Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union out to destroy superior performance of charter schools

By Paul Vallas

08/25/2023

Charter schools give low-income and minority students a better shot at success. So why is the Chicago Teachers Union trying to hurt charter schools’ better academic performance at lower cost?

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Former Madigan chief of staff found guilty on perjury charges

By Dylan Sharkey

08/24/2023

Tim Mapes, former chief of staff to ousted Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, was convicted on perjury and obstruction of justice charges.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, Tim Mapes

3 ways Chicago Mayor Johnson is likely to repay unions for bankrolling him

By Mailee Smith

08/24/2023

Nearly 83% of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s funding has been from unions, according to data obtained from Illinois Sunshine. More than half of that came from teachers unions. Here are three ways we could see him pay them back.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Midwest states expand school choice while Illinois fights to save scholarships for low-income students

By Hannah Schmid

08/22/2023

Five Midwest states have enacted or expanded school choice programs since the Invest in Kids Act was enacted in 2017. Now Illinois’ scholarships are set to expire while other programs thrive.

TAGS: Invest in Kids, school choice

Illinois teachers unions have threatened to strike 188 times since 2010

By Mailee Smith

08/18/2023

Illinois public school students are at a severe disadvantage. Educational unions here can strike, keeping kids out of school, but that’s not the case in other big cities or neighboring states.

TAGS: teachers union

Illinois recovered pandemic-era job losses in July – a year later than the rest of the country

By Bryce Hill, Justin Carlson

08/17/2023

The state finally surpassed January 2020 job levels after 37 states had already done so, including all of Illinois’ neighbors except Michigan.

Illinois

Illinois government unions celebrate Labor Day with 36,000 fewer members

Illinois cannabis buyers pay 89% more than U.S. average

Chicago Fact Sheet

Mapes corruption conviction again shows need for 4 Illinois ethics reforms

Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union out to destroy superior performance of charter schools

Former Madigan chief of staff found guilty on perjury charges

3 ways Chicago Mayor Johnson is likely to repay unions for bankrolling him

Midwest states expand school choice while Illinois fights to save scholarships for low-income students

Illinois teachers unions have threatened to strike 188 times since 2010

Illinois recovered pandemic-era job losses in July – a year later than the rest of the country

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