School choice breeds innovation, success

12/31/2012

Organizations such as School of One which operates a math program at three New York City public middle schools are proving that innovation can occur in a public education system that is resistant to change.

CTU’s answer for failing schools: Blame the ‘fat cats’

By Paul Kersey

12/29/2012

It is a fairly standard piece of Alinskyite strategy: make the argument about personalities rather than principles or results. Find an enemy and make the whole fight about him or her or it. As progressive icon and “Rules for Radicals” author Saul Alinsky himself put it, “pick the target, freeze it, personalize it and polarize...

Rahm should focus on jobs first, hype later

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/30/2012

In his recent op-ed, “How to rebuild America,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel boasts that Chicago’s “investments” in public schools, community colleges and infrastructure improvements have put Chicagoans back to work. Here’s what he said: “The strength of these investments is proven in the number of people we’re putting back to work: Chicago is first...

For entrepreneurs, the grass is greener … almost anywhere but Illinois

By Hilary Gowins

11/29/2012

How do American entrepreneurs decide where to set up shop? Business creators look at indicators like corporate tax rates and the health of a state’s finances when determining the best location in which to take root. According to a survey published recently by Thumbtack.com and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Illinois isn’t quite cutting the mustard. On...

Chicago bike-sharing program takes taxpayers for a ride

By Brian Costin

11/26/2012

I have fond memories of riding my mountain bike in the hills of Busse Woods as a child. My godfather, Sean Costin, is an experimental bike designer and has set world records in racing recumbent bicycles. I even continue to watch the Tour de France in the post-Lance Armstrong era. I love bikes. But my love for bikes...

The backdoor CPS bailout

11/16/2012

Chicago Public Schools cannot erase its $1 billion budget deficit alone – it’s going to need some help. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the school board know the situation is dire. This is why they have proposed closing 120 schools next year, a move that could save $500,000 to $800,000 per school closed. But, to...

O’Hare renovations: 30 times more expensive than Illinois’ high-speed rail plans

By Brian Costin

10/29/2012

With a track length of nearly 3.1 miles, taxpayers are looking at footing a cost of almost $110 million per mile.

Red light camera revenues seduce public officials

10/24/2012

Since the city of Chicago began Illinois

Open letter to Mayor Rahm Emanuel

09/25/2012

After nearly a year of collective bargaining and a seven day strike, you have reached a tentative agreement with the Chicago Teachers Union.

A crisis wasted: Rahm ignores his own advice

09/21/2012

Rahm Emanuel famously argued that

Rahm Emanuel

School choice breeds innovation, success

CTU’s answer for failing schools: Blame the ‘fat cats’

Rahm should focus on jobs first, hype later

For entrepreneurs, the grass is greener … almost anywhere but Illinois

Chicago bike-sharing program takes taxpayers for a ride

The backdoor CPS bailout

O’Hare renovations: 30 times more expensive than Illinois’ high-speed rail plans

Red light camera revenues seduce public officials

Open letter to Mayor Rahm Emanuel

A crisis wasted: Rahm ignores his own advice

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help 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