Nonunion Chicago educators sue CTU, AFT to end forced union dues

By Vincent Caruso

05/07/2020

While members can opt out of CTU at any time, the union says they may only stop paying the union if they do so during a one-month period. A lawsuit filed against the union argues this violates teachers’ First Amendment rights.

TAGS: AFT: American Federation of Teachers, Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, government unions, Janus v. AFSCME

COVID-19 rules apply to all Illinoisans, with exceptions for some political figures

By Brad Weisenstein

05/07/2020

Some of those leading Illinois’ response to COVID-19, or those close to them, have not exactly been following the rules about staying home and social distancing.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, JB Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot

Chicago needs a ‘wartime budget’ to face the COVID-19 crisis

By Adam Schuster

04/28/2020

City leaders must prioritize critical spending – and avoid hiking taxes on a struggling economy.

TAGS: Chicago, coronavirus, COVID-19, credit rating, emergency, Lori Lightfoot, pensions

COVID-19 increases Illinois farm losses to point that farms may be lost

By Brad Weisenstein

04/24/2020

Farmers have always proven resilient and ultimately will survive the virus and anything state government lobs at them.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, farms, minimum wage, progressive income tax, recession

To fight COVID-19 economic harm, Illinois must delay or cancel taxes and fees where possible

By Adam Schuster

04/02/2020

Struggling businesses, individuals and families need relief while the economy is shut down. Despite Illinois’ financial woes, leaders can help the recovery by lifting government-imposed financial burdens.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, emergency, executive order, fees, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, property taxes

State advises stores to temporarily ban reusable bags, but Chicago’s single-use bag tax remains

04/01/2020

Illinois’ grocery stores have told shoppers to leave their reusable bags at home to stop COVID-19’s spread. Chicago’s 7-cent bag tax will continue unless the law is changed.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, plastic bag tax

Illinois moves Tax Day to July 15 in response to coronavirus spread

03/25/2020

The change puts Illinois in line with the new federal deadline announced in response to the spread of the coronavirus.

TAGS: coronavirus, corporate income tax, COVID-19, income tax, JB Pritzker

Proposal would cut pay for Chicago politicians to fund coronavirus response

By Austin Berg

03/24/2020

One Chicago alderman is calling for the city’s 53 elected officials to forfeit their six-figure salaries for 15 days.

TAGS: Chicago, coronavirus, COVID-19, lawmaker pay, Ray Lopez

Pritzker gives stay-at-home order for Illinois, in effect until April 7

By Brad Weisenstein

03/20/2020

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on March 20 ordered state residents to stay home except for essential workers and trips for supplies. The order came as Illinois recorded its fifth death and 585 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, JB Pritzker

For Illinois, COVID-19 cuts much deeper than public health

By Austin Berg

03/20/2020

Springfield needs to pull policy levers to mitigate harm. And they should do so as quickly as possible.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, economy, JB Pritzker, occupational licensing, progressive income tax, small business, unemployment

Lori Lightfoot

Nonunion Chicago educators sue CTU, AFT to end forced union dues

COVID-19 rules apply to all Illinoisans, with exceptions for some political figures

Chicago needs a ‘wartime budget’ to face the COVID-19 crisis

COVID-19 increases Illinois farm losses to point that farms may be lost

To fight COVID-19 economic harm, Illinois must delay or cancel taxes and fees where possible

State advises stores to temporarily ban reusable bags, but Chicago’s single-use bag tax remains

Illinois moves Tax Day to July 15 in response to coronavirus spread

Proposal would cut pay for Chicago politicians to fund coronavirus response

Pritzker gives stay-at-home order for Illinois, in effect until April 7

For Illinois, COVID-19 cuts much deeper than public health

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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