Illinois’ So-Called ‘Millionaire Tax’ Makes All Taxpayers a Target

By Matheus Cosso

03/05/2025

The “millionaire tax” will increase Illinois’ tax burden without necessarily increasing public funds. Revenue intended for education may fall short of expectations and will likely be absorbed by school administration before reaching students.

TAGS: millionaire tax

Illinois Forward 2026: How the state can spend responsibly

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

02/12/2025

After years of splurging with revenue boosted by temporary federal aid, future deficits over $5 billion await the Illinois state budget. It’s time Illinois state leaders learn from past mistakes and manage other people’s money responsibly.

Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan

By Bryce Hill

02/14/2023

After years of enhanced revenue from federal aid, a return to the basic principles of budgeting can put Illinois on the path to long-term financial stability

Illinois schools push district consolidation to fix teacher shortage

By Dylan Sharkey

04/27/2022

School board members in rural Illinois said district consolidation will ease staff shortages made worse by the pandemic. A statewide look at district consolidation could cut administrative overhead and put $732 million more into classrooms.

TAGS: Illinois, school district consolidation, teacher shortage

Less Illinois school bureaucracy would help students achieve

By Dylan Sharkey

02/09/2022

Half of Illinois’ school districts serve one to two schools. Consolidating school districts, but leaving schools alone, would decrease administrative costs and yield more money for classrooms to boost student achievement.

TAGS: education bureaucracy, Illinois, school district consolidation

Illinois Forward 2023: Only pension, budget reform can save taxpayers when federal aid ends

01/30/2022

Published Jan. 30, 2022

Classrooms First Act could put millions into Illinois schools

By Dylan Sharkey

01/17/2022

A bill to cut Illinois’ redundant school district bureaucracy could offer over $300 per student for classroom instruction. No schools would close as Illinois strived to cut administration costs that are double the U.S. average.

TAGS: Classrooms First Act, education spending, school district consolidation

Unions flood politicians with cash: How it buys clout in Illinois General Assembly

By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko

12/22/2021

Government unions in Illinois have tremendous power. Most are allowed to go on strike and can bargain over virtually anything.1 It creates an uneven playing field, with unions able to demand costly provisions in their contracts and threaten to strike – denying Illinoisans needed services – to get what they want.2 Until recently, the potential...

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

By Adam Schuster

08/24/2021

Classrooms First Act would benefit virtually all Illinoisans including teachers, parents and students.

Classrooms First Act unanimously passes Illinois House committee

By Brad Weisenstein

03/24/2021

A bill to channel education dollars from duplicate bureaucracy and into classrooms or back to property taxpayers won committee approval. It is headed for a full vote in the Illinois House.

TAGS: administrative bloat, Classrooms First Act, consolidation, Rita Mayfield, school district efficiency

Rita Mayfield

Illinois’ So-Called ‘Millionaire Tax’ Makes All Taxpayers a Target

Illinois Forward 2026: How the state can spend responsibly

Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan

Illinois schools push district consolidation to fix teacher shortage

Less Illinois school bureaucracy would help students achieve

Illinois Forward 2023: Only pension, budget reform can save taxpayers when federal aid ends

Classrooms First Act could put millions into Illinois schools

Unions flood politicians with cash: How it buys clout in Illinois General Assembly

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

Classrooms First Act unanimously passes Illinois House committee

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