Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

By Adam Schuster

08/24/2021

Classrooms First Act would benefit virtually all Illinoisans including teachers, parents and students.

Illinoisans pay 10th highest lifetime taxes in U.S.

By Patrick Andriesen

06/09/2021

Illinoisans will pay nearly one-third more in taxes during their lives than the average American. They will pay almost double what Indiana and Kentucky residents will pay.

TAGS: Illinois, taxes

Former Illinois Senate president returns to lobby for utility on energy bill

By Brad Weisenstein

06/09/2021

The former president of the Illinois Senate is now a lobbyist for a power utility. Illinois needs stronger rules on when their peers can return to sway state lawmakers.

TAGS: John Cullerton, lobbying, revolving door

Civic Federation finds nearly 9,000 tax-guzzling government units in Illinois

By Justin Carlson

04/19/2021

A recent comprehensive analysis found the real number of government units in Illinois is 30% higher than the U.S. Census Bureau’s count. Too many government units mean too many taxes.

TAGS: Citizens Empowerment Act, Illinois, local government consolidation, school district efficiency

Illinois Senate committee passes bill to help nursing shortage

03/24/2021

Sen. Feigenholtz’s Senate Bill 2068 would add Illinois to 34 other states participating in the Nurse Licensure Compact. Career moves, volunteer work and pandemic relief would all benefit.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, Nurse Licensure Compact

Feds use ‘fair tax’ methods, but Pritzker doesn’t like results

By Bryce Hill

03/24/2021

Despite pushing hard for a progressive state income tax, Gov. J.B. Pritzker criticized the impact of the same policy at the national level for what it means for Illinois.

TAGS: federal government, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax

Restrictions ease, but Chicago cites 5 bars, restaurants over COVID rules

By Laura Bianchi

03/11/2021

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is allowing bars and restaurants to be open later and increase capacity, but city inspectors are looking for COVID-19 rules violations. Five restaurants and bars were just cited.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, Lori Lightfoot, regulations

Illinois again ranks No. 2 in U.S. for highest property taxes

By Lisa Rigoni

03/04/2021

Illinois again ranked second for highest property tax rates in the nation in 2021, behind only New Jersey.

TAGS: pensions, population, property taxes

Full Text: Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address

02/17/2021

Delivered virtually Feb. 17, 2021, from the Illinois State Fairgrounds

TAGS: budget, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, State of the State

Potential CTU strike about boosting power of nation’s teachers’ unions

By Mailee Smith

01/30/2021

The Chicago Teachers Union prided itself as the vanguard for a rash of nationwide teacher strikes following its 2012 walkout. It’s using the same playbook in 2021.

TAGS: COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, strike

Kentucky

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

Illinoisans pay 10th highest lifetime taxes in U.S.

Former Illinois Senate president returns to lobby for utility on energy bill

Civic Federation finds nearly 9,000 tax-guzzling government units in Illinois

Illinois Senate committee passes bill to help nursing shortage

Feds use ‘fair tax’ methods, but Pritzker doesn’t like results

Restrictions ease, but Chicago cites 5 bars, restaurants over COVID rules

Illinois again ranks No. 2 in U.S. for highest property taxes

Full Text: Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address

Potential CTU strike about boosting power of nation’s teachers’ unions

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit 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