Fines per Chicagoan more than triples since 1996 to prop up city budget

By Patrick Andriesen

10/13/2025

Chicago’s 2025 budget needed $345 million in fines, forfeitures and penalties. It was $99 million 30 years ago. What will the new budget extract from residents?

TAGS: budget, Chicago

Without reforms, pension insolvency will eat Chicago alive

By LyLena Estabine

10/08/2025

If Chicago’s pension systems become insolvent, the city will have to reduce benefits or make serious cuts to city services. The only way out is constitutional reform.

Teachers union strike threats as school starts is an unfair tactic

By Lilly Rossi

10/07/2025

At least three Illinois teachers unions threatened to strike at the start of this school year. Keeping students out of class so unions can get their way should be illegal in Illinois.

TAGS: public schools, teachers union

Tinley Park teachers union may strike Sept. 22

By Lilly Rossi

09/12/2025

District 146 Educators Council has voted to authorize a strike. If an agreement is not reached, teachers in Tinley Park could strike as soon as Sept. 22.

TAGS: teachers union

Romeoville, Bolingbrook teachers union sets Sept. 18 strike date

By Lilly Rossi

09/10/2025

Teachers in the 10th-largest school district in Illinois may be on the picket lines instead of in classrooms with students on Sept. 18. Romeoville and Bolingbrook teachers are paid more than the state average but are pushing for more.

TAGS: teachers union

Chicago pensions carry more debt than 44 states

By LyLena Estabine

09/09/2025

Chicago’s pension systems carry over $53 billion in debt, leaving taxpayers with rising bills and no reform in sight.

Romeoville, Bolingbrook teachers union files strike notice

By Lilly Rossi

09/04/2025

The teachers union in the 10th-largest school district in Illinois has voted to authorize a strike. If an agreement is not reached, teachers in Romeoville and Bolingbrook could strike as soon as Sept. 15.

Chicago mayor recycles failed tax idea to fix $1.12B deficit

By Ravi Mishra

08/05/2025

As Chicago faces a major deficit for fiscal year 2026, Mayor Brandon Johnson is considering resurrecting a failed idea that punishes job creation: the corporate head tax.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago, head tax

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

Chicago is only big city where mayor gets to fill city council vacancies

By Austin Berg, Gerrin Alexander

03/26/2025

Of the 15 largest cities, only Chicago lets its mayor fill vacancies on the city council. Mayor Brandon Johnson is about to exercise that long Chicago tradition by filling a vacancy he created.

Rahm Emanuel

Fines per Chicagoan more than triples since 1996 to prop up city budget

Without reforms, pension insolvency will eat Chicago alive

Teachers union strike threats as school starts is an unfair tactic

Tinley Park teachers union may strike Sept. 22

Romeoville, Bolingbrook teachers union sets Sept. 18 strike date

Chicago pensions carry more debt than 44 states

Romeoville, Bolingbrook teachers union files strike notice

Chicago mayor recycles failed tax idea to fix $1.12B deficit

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

Chicago is only big city where mayor gets to fill city council vacancies

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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