Get the facts: Amendment 1 study guide

By Mailee Smith, Bryce Hill

08/26/2022

The so-called “Workers’ Rights Amendment” would lead to substantial tax increases for working Illinoisans and small business owners.

TAGS: Amendment 1, workers rights amendment

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

By Joe Tabor

08/17/2022

Published Aug. 17, 2022 Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension...

How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois

By Joe Tabor, Aimee Morrissey

08/11/2022

Illinois can draw from other states’ experiences to solve its own gerrymandering problem. One solid solution is as close as Michigan.

TAGS: fair maps, gerrymandering, Illinois

Fact check: No other state constitution has a provision similar to Amendment 1

By Mailee Smith

08/10/2022

Proponents of Amendment 1 claim other state constitutions include similar language, but that is just wrong. Amendment 1 would cement into the Illinois Constitution government union powers that no other state sees as smart.

TAGS: Amendment 1, property taxes, unions, workers rights

Fact check: Illinois’ economic recovery under Pritzker among worst in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

08/02/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s newest campaign ad credits him with fixing state finances and boasts of Illinois’ job growth. Both are among the worst in the nation.

TAGS: Caterpillar, Citadel, economic growth, economic recovery, economy, JB Pritzker

Chicago Teachers Union school closures, strikes hold back K-12 chess champs

07/05/2022

Students on Joe Ocol’s chess teams already face life challenges, but the Chicago Teachers Union adds to them by repeatedly threatening their historic successes. Voters face a choice Nov. 8 to either strengthen union militancy or put students first.

TAGS: Amendment 1, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Illinois Constitution

Citadel 3rd major company to leave Illinois in 2 months

By Dylan Sharkey

06/23/2022

Hedge-fund firm Citadel is moving its headquarters to Miami. Citadel CEO Ken Griffin said many employees have asked to move out of Illinois.

TAGS: Chicago, Citadel, corporate income tax, crime, Ken Griffin, outmigration

Chicago’s combined state and local taxpayer debt burden worst in the nation

By Justin Carlson

06/07/2022

Fiscal watchdog Truth in Accounting reports every Chicagoan is on the hook for $135,700 when combining city and state debt.

TAGS: Chicago, tax burden, Truth in Accounting

Longer public schools closed for pandemic, more students they lost

By Hannah Schmid

05/26/2022

New research shows remote learning spurred the enrollment declines plaguing public schools. Schools with more in-person instruction lost fewer students.

TAGS: COVID-19, public schools, teachers union

79% of Illinois communities lose people in 2021; Chicago loses 45K

By Bryce Hill

05/25/2022

1,019 Illinois communities of all sizes shared in the loss of 114,000 residents in 2021, new census data shows. Chicago lost 40% of the total.

TAGS: Chicago, Illinois, outmigration, population

New York

Get the facts: Amendment 1 study guide

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois

Fact check: No other state constitution has a provision similar to Amendment 1

Fact check: Illinois’ economic recovery under Pritzker among worst in nation

Chicago Teachers Union school closures, strikes hold back K-12 chess champs

Citadel 3rd major company to leave Illinois in 2 months

Chicago’s combined state and local taxpayer debt burden worst in the nation

Longer public schools closed for pandemic, more students they lost

79% of Illinois communities lose people in 2021; Chicago loses 45K

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