27% of Chicagoans approve of Mayor Brandon Johnson

By Patrick Andriesen

08/16/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is about to host the Democratic National Convention. He’ll be a party cheerleader that nearly 2 in 3 Chicagoans would rather not follow.

Chicago has more public pension debt than 43 states

By Ravi Mishra

08/15/2024

Chicago’s pension systems for city workers have $51 billion in debt, so much that they are in worse shape than 43 states. Fixing them requires Chicago’s mayor to push for a change in the Illinois Constitution.

TAGS: Chicago, pensions

Planning a long Lollapalooza weekend? Expect ticket taxes of $91 to $1,001

By Patrick Andriesen

07/18/2024

If you plan to be at Lollapalooza from Megan Thee Stallion to Blink-182, expect taxes to add $91 to the cost of general admission. Get a premium ticket and city, county and state sales and amusement taxes add $1,001 to the cost.

TAGS: Lollapalooza, tax

Vallas: 10 things you should know about Chicago crime today

By Paul Vallas

07/18/2024

Independence Day weekend was bloody in Chicago. City leaders are doing little other than pointing fingers. Here are 10 things Chicagoans should know about the current crime problem.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Apprenticeships offer economic opportunity for Illinoisans

By Chris Coffey

07/10/2024

College degrees are just one potential path to prosperity. Apprenticeships are a viable alternative Illinois’ education system should embrace.

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

07/09/2024

Published July 9, 2024 America is facing a housing affordability crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 73% of Americans said the average person could not afford a home in their area, and 69% were worried about their children and grandchildren being able to afford a home. That’s unfair. Everyone deserves a good roof over their...

What does it take to get a building permit in Chicago?

By Joe Tabor

06/20/2024

Chicago lags behind other cities in housing affordability. The city’s permitting process could be holding it back.

TAGS: construction, housing

Vallas: Mayor, supporters see unlimited migration as fix to population loss

By Paul Vallas

06/06/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sees unlimited migration as a solution to population loss. What he should be doing is recognizing crime and a lack of quality school choice is driving out families.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Bally’s casino in Chicago continues to underperform

By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg

06/06/2024

Illinois leaders keep hoping for big wins from casinos and other gambling, but the newest casino in Chicago shows expectations are too high again.

Black Chicagoans 20X likelier to be homicide victims; arrest rate hits record low

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

05/30/2024

Black Chicagoans were over 20 times more likely to become homicide victims during the past 12 months than their white peers, with 9-in-10 homicides on the South Side and West Side. Hopes of catching killers hit a new low.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Lori Lightfoot

27% of Chicagoans approve of Mayor Brandon Johnson

Chicago has more public pension debt than 43 states

Planning a long Lollapalooza weekend? Expect ticket taxes of $91 to $1,001

Vallas: 10 things you should know about Chicago crime today

Apprenticeships offer economic opportunity for Illinoisans

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

What does it take to get a building permit in Chicago?

Vallas: Mayor, supporters see unlimited migration as fix to population loss

Bally’s casino in Chicago continues to underperform

Black Chicagoans 20X likelier to be homicide victims; arrest rate hits record low

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

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Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students