Illinois part of national epidemic, with only 1 in 3 students reading well

By Hannah Schmid

09/19/2024

Student literacy is in trouble nationally, which is why Illinois is one of 35 states where just 1 in 3 – or fewer – of its fourth graders met reading standards in 2022.

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...

Forced agenda: Chicago Teachers Union contract aims to dictate radical, costly worldview to Chicagoans

By Mailee Smith

07/02/2024

The Chicago Teachers Union is putting political goals in its contract demands, something not found in other large cities. It is trying to impose policy on the public without elected representatives debating whether the policies will hurt students and taxpayers.

Literacy in Illinois: Low third-grade reading proficiency warns of trouble ahead

By Hannah Schmid

05/30/2024

Third grade marks a critical reading milestone: if students struggle then, they will face greater problems during the rest of their educations. State data shows 7 of 10 Illinois third graders can’t read at grade level, meaning there’s trouble awaiting most Illinois students.

TAGS: public schools

Universal licensing bill would help professionals move to Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

04/03/2024

House Bill 5608 would allow professionals with out-of-state licenses or experience to work in Illinois and help residents with certifications from other states to work. Universal licensing was already adopted by 22 other states.

TAGS: occupational licensing

18 states embrace school choice as Illinois hurts low-income families

By Hannah Schmid

01/22/2024

Seven states enacted new private school choice programs in 2023 and 11 states expanded existing programs. But Illinois killed its Invest in Kids tax-credit scholarship program, ending the only help for nearly 10,000 low-income students.

TAGS: school choice

Too much occupational licensing could stop people from moving to Illinois

By Joe Tabor

12/25/2023

Illinois has seen continual population loss for a decade. While taxes and lack of opportunities are driving people away, the state’s licensing requirements could be keeping people from moving in.

TAGS: occupational licensing

5 jobs Illinois imposes heaviest licensing burdens on

By Joe Tabor

12/04/2023

Employment is the clearest path out of poverty, but these five low-income professions face more occupational licensing burdens than others in Illinois.

Illinois licensing makes escaping poverty harder than in other Midwestern states

By Joe Tabor

11/27/2023

Illinois could make it easier to escape poverty by letting more people work without first getting a license. Six neighboring states do a better job of easing occupational licensing on low-income professions.

Fact check: 7 things school choice opponents got wrong about Invest in Kids

By Hannah Schmid

09/22/2023

Illinois Families for Public Schools released a pamphlet with misleading information about the Invest in Kids Tax-Credit Scholarship program and its effects on the public school system in Illinois. Here are corrections to seven things they got wrong.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Ohio

Illinois part of national epidemic, with only 1 in 3 students reading well

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Forced agenda: Chicago Teachers Union contract aims to dictate radical, costly worldview to Chicagoans

Literacy in Illinois: Low third-grade reading proficiency warns of trouble ahead

Universal licensing bill would help professionals move to Illinois

18 states embrace school choice as Illinois hurts low-income families

Too much occupational licensing could stop people from moving to Illinois

5 jobs Illinois imposes heaviest licensing burdens on

Illinois licensing makes escaping poverty harder than in other Midwestern states

Fact check: 7 things school choice opponents got wrong about Invest in Kids

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