NASCAR ticket price up to $272 higher thanks to Chicago tax

By Patrick Andriesen

06/13/2023

The typical racing fan will pay an extra $22 for general admission to Chicago’s NASCAR “Street Race Weekend” thanks to the city’s amusement tax. Luxury seating could cost residents more than the price of a standard ticket in taxes alone.

TAGS: NASCAR

Brandon Johnson appoints Chicago Teachers Union leader to transition team

By Dylan Sharkey

05/23/2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s cabinet includes staff from the Chicago Teachers Union and Service Employees International Union.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

What to know before Brandon Johnson becomes mayor of Chicago

By Patrick Andriesen

05/12/2023

Former Cook County Commissioner and Chicago Teachers Union lobbyist Brandon Johnson will be sworn in as the 57th mayor of Chicago May 15. Here’s what Chicagoans should know about his political ties, policy proposals and prospects.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Over 102K more Chicagoans voted by mail than 4 years earlier

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

04/27/2023

While total Chicago voter turnout hit a high April 4, in-person voting on Election Day reached the lowest level in Chicago mayoral runoff history. Most Chicagoans voting did so early or by mail.

TAGS: vote-by-mail

Brandon Johnson pickets with Chicago State University strikers

By Dylan Sharkey

04/12/2023

Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson stood with striking Chicago State University faculty. Eastern Illinois University and Governors State University are also undergoing faculty strikes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Johnson campaign up to $5.6M from teachers unions after another big donation

By Mailee Smith

03/29/2023

Teachers unions have already bankrolled most of Brandon Johnson’s campaign for Chicago mayor, and the American Federation of Teachers just directed another $500,000 to his war chest.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago has more pension debt than 44 states

By Justin Carlson

03/28/2023

Despite claims of Chicago’s improving financial condition, the $48 billion in pension debt for the city’s core retirement systems continues to loom over its fiscal future.

Loophole will let Brandon Johnson collect public pension now worth $1.1M

By Bryce Hill

03/23/2023

Mayoral candidate and Chicago Teachers Union organizer Brandon Johnson is eligible to collect an estimated $1.1 million pension through the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund despite only teaching for four years. His future path could yield a public pension worth over $2.8 million.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Teachers Union, affiliates spend nearly $2.5M to put Johnson in mayoral run-off

By Mailee Smith

03/06/2023

The Chicago Teachers Union’s funding of the Brandon Johnson campaign for Chicago mayor has fueled backlash from members. As one of its own employees, Johnson has banked more than $390,000 as CTU’s “legislative coordinator” in the past 5 years.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, taxes

Mayor race pits school choice against more power for Chicago Teachers Union

By Dylan Sharkey

03/02/2023

Former Chicago Public School CEO Paul Vallas and Chicago Teachers Union lobbyist Brandon Johnson will advance to the April 4 runoff election. Both have very different views on public safety and education.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Invest in Kids, Paul Vallas

Lori Lightfoot

NASCAR ticket price up to $272 higher thanks to Chicago tax

Brandon Johnson appoints Chicago Teachers Union leader to transition team

What to know before Brandon Johnson becomes mayor of Chicago

Over 102K more Chicagoans voted by mail than 4 years earlier

Brandon Johnson pickets with Chicago State University strikers

Johnson campaign up to $5.6M from teachers unions after another big donation

Chicago has more pension debt than 44 states

Loophole will let Brandon Johnson collect public pension now worth $1.1M

Chicago Teachers Union, affiliates spend nearly $2.5M to put Johnson in mayoral run-off

Mayor race pits school choice against more power for Chicago Teachers Union

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

Report Archive

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