Less than 22% of voters approve of Chicago Teachers Union

By Tom Viz

08/11/2025

Less than 22% of voters approve of the Chicago Teachers Union. No surprise, considering the scandals and radical dogma pushed by its two top leaders.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Vallas: Pritzker works on national profile as Illinoisans tire of him

By Paul Vallas

08/11/2025

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is burnishing his national image as a Democratic presidential candidate by inserting himself in the Texas redistricting controversy. But Illinoisans are growing tired of Pritzker and taxation, pushing his favorability rating into the negative.

Illinois economy declines 2.2% in early 2025, one of biggest drops in U.S.

By Ravi Mishra

07/31/2025

Illinois’ latest drop in gross domestic product shows broader issues with the state. The state’s real GDP has been struggling for years.

TAGS: GDP: gross domestic product

Vallas: Work-study changes futures of Chicago’s at-risk youth

By Paul Vallas

07/25/2025

Summer jobs programs are not enough to keep Chicago’s youth out of trouble. To reach their potential, a year-round answer is needed. Paid apprenticeships or other work-study need to become part of public education.

Illinois lawmakers making $128K for 70 days of work

By Dylan Sharkey, Charlotte Rotkis

07/17/2025

While Illinois families face one of the nation’s highest unemployment rates, the nation’s highest property taxes and the highest state and local tax burden, state lawmakers just gave themselves another raise. They get $128,000 for 70 days of work.

TAGS: lawmaker pay

Vallas: It was a bad weekend, but Chicago’s violent crime rate falling

By Paul Vallas

07/08/2025

A violent Independence Day weekend has Chicagoans worried about violent crime, but it was a spike and not a trend. Crime is falling, thanks to new law enforcement efforts.

TAGS: Chicago

Vallas: J.B. Pritzker’s $55.2B budget fuels Illinois’ financial death spiral

By Paul Vallas

06/27/2025

J.B. Pritzker wants a third term as Illinois governor, but based on his history of boosting taxes and creating spending records, can Illinois afford him for four more years? Will the state grow even smaller as Illinoisans get fed up and leave?

TAGS: JB Pritzker, outmigration, taxes

Contract negotiations in 52 school districts may see Chicago Teachers Union-style radicalism

By Mailee Smith

06/18/2025

At least 52 school districts represented by the Illinois Federation of Teachers – the parent union and chief ally of the Chicago Teachers Union – are up for contract negotiations this year. CTU’s militant social agenda is being spread by IFT to other teachers unions.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Gerrymandering: Madigan’s legacy of letting politicians choose their voters

By Patrick Andriesen

06/13/2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s sentencing to 7.5 years for bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud ends his active role in Illinois politics. But his legacy of gerrymandering will continue to shape Illinois politics long after he’s behind bars.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

By Josh Bandoch, Lauren Zuar

06/03/2025

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

New York

Less than 22% of voters approve of Chicago Teachers Union

Vallas: Pritzker works on national profile as Illinoisans tire of him

Illinois economy declines 2.2% in early 2025, one of biggest drops in U.S.

Vallas: Work-study changes futures of Chicago’s at-risk youth

Illinois lawmakers making $128K for 70 days of work

Vallas: It was a bad weekend, but Chicago’s violent crime rate falling

Vallas: J.B. Pritzker’s $55.2B budget fuels Illinois’ financial death spiral

Contract negotiations in 52 school districts may see Chicago Teachers Union-style radicalism

Gerrymandering: Madigan’s legacy of letting politicians choose their voters

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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