9 things you’d likely get wrong about Illinois Federation of Teachers

By Mailee Smith

06/11/2025

The Illinois Federation of Teachers represents employees in more than 200 school districts across the state, but it does a lot that defies expectations. Here are nine things you and its members likely misunderstand, most related to colluding with the Chicago Teachers Union.

TAGS: IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

Inside Illinois’ 2026 budget: spend now, squeeze more, solve later

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

06/06/2025

State lawmakers built Illinois’ record $55.2 billion budget for 2026 on gimmicks, one-time fixes and piecemeal tax hikes. They left pension debt, transit cliffs and real reform for another day.

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...

Medicaid enrollment, spending soar in Illinois as Congress weighs cuts

By Chris Coffey

03/27/2025

Expansions to Medicaid because of the Affordable Care Act and COVID-19 have increased the program in Illinois as Congress considers potential cuts or work requirements.

Chicago Teachers Union can strike after March 7

By Mailee Smith

03/06/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union entered a 30-day “cooling off” period following its rejection of a neutral fact-finder’s contract recommendations. The 30 days are up. The union can go on strike after March 7.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

No Illinois teacher strikes in 2024, but will Chicago Teachers Union strike in 2025?

By Mailee Smith

02/13/2025

After going on strike 63 times in the previous 13 years, Illinois teachers unions gave families a break and didn’t walk out on students in 2024. But the Chicago Teachers Union may change that soon.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Madigan is latest as Illinois averages 1 corruption conviction a week – for 40 years

By Dylan Sharkey

02/12/2025

Corruption in Illinois is on a weekly basis. The state averaged more than one corruption conviction per week from 1983-2023, which marked the start of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s leadership.

TAGS: corruption, madigan

Chicago Teachers Union moves one step closer to going on strike

By Mailee Smith

02/05/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union rejected recommendations from a neutral factfinder. The union will be free to strike after the report is public for 30 days and the union gives 10 days’ notice of striking.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

What you need to know about whether Chicago Teachers Union will strike in April

By Mailee Smith

01/30/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools entered the “fact finding” phase of negotiations in January 2025. Here’s what that means, whether Chicago students might be out of class, when and what it all could do to taxpayers.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Teachers unions to fight nationwide school choice bill after killing option in Illinois

By Hannah Schmid

01/30/2025

The first nationwide school choice bill to pass out of committee in U.S. history was just reintroduced. But teachers unions, which killed Illinois’ school choice program in 2023, oppose giving families education options.

TAGS: school choice, teachers union

Republican Party

9 things you’d likely get wrong about Illinois Federation of Teachers

Inside Illinois’ 2026 budget: spend now, squeeze more, solve later

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Medicaid enrollment, spending soar in Illinois as Congress weighs cuts

Chicago Teachers Union can strike after March 7

No Illinois teacher strikes in 2024, but will Chicago Teachers Union strike in 2025?

Madigan is latest as Illinois averages 1 corruption conviction a week – for 40 years

Chicago Teachers Union moves one step closer to going on strike

What you need to know about whether Chicago Teachers Union will strike in April

Teachers unions to fight nationwide school choice bill after killing option in Illinois

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