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...

No degree? No problem. Chicago expanding access to work

By Lauren Zuar

05/28/2025

A new Chicago ordinance will remove college degree requirements for most city jobs. The measure breaks down employment barriers for disadvantaged groups and opens new pathways to prosperity.

Pritzker preps for presidential run carrying weight of Illinois failures

By Patrick Andriesen

05/23/2025

Outcomes for Illinoisans have dropped since Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office. The nation’s Democrats need to see where he’s taken Illinois before following his lead on the national stage.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, taxes, unemployment

Illinois lawmakers get 26 seconds per page to read 2025 budget

By Patrick Andriesen

05/20/2025

Illinois state lawmakers must be super speed readers, because who would vote on something they hadn’t read? They were given an average of 67 seconds per page to read the past nine state budgets, but last year received only 26 seconds per page.

What to expect with 3 more years of Stacy Davis Gates leading Chicago Teachers Union

By Mailee Smith

05/19/2025

Stacy Davis Gates and her slate of progressive Chicago Teachers Union leaders won reelection on May 16. Illinoisans can expect the union to pursue more money, more power and more radical policies during her continued tenure as union president.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Scandal recap: Stacy Davis Gates’ leadership of Chicago Teachers Union

By Hannah Schmid

05/12/2025

Chicago Teachers Union members have reason to question the leadership of President Stacy Davis Gates heading into the May 16 union election. Her many scandals have driven down the union’s reputation.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

New York

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

No degree? No problem. Chicago expanding access to work

Pritzker preps for presidential run carrying weight of Illinois failures

Illinois lawmakers get 26 seconds per page to read 2025 budget

What to expect with 3 more years of Stacy Davis Gates leading Chicago Teachers Union

Scandal recap: Stacy Davis Gates’ leadership of Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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