What to know about new IFT head Stacy Davis Gates

By Mailee Smith

11/06/2025

Stacy Davis Gates brought controversy, conflict to the Chicago Teachers Union. With her as their president, Illinois Federation of Teachers members can expect the same.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Chicago Teachers Union’s radical agenda is coming to a school district near you

By Mailee Smith

10/21/2025

The scandal-plagued president of the Chicago Teachers Union will now also be leading the Illinois Federation of Teachers, which has affiliates in at least 200 districts across the state.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, Stacy Davis Gates

Mandating unaffordability: How Chicago’s housing affordability requirements decrease supply and increase costs

By Josh Bandoch, LyLena Estabine

10/01/2025

As housing prices continue to soar out of reach for more Americans, an impulse from policy makers across the country has been to attempt to mandate “affordable” prices through legislation. One common idea is rent control, which limits how much landlords can increase rents on residents. A related one is inclusionary zoning, which forces developers...

Contract negotiations in 52 school districts may see Chicago Teachers Union-style radicalism

By Mailee Smith

06/18/2025

At least 52 school districts represented by the Illinois Federation of Teachers – the parent union and chief ally of the Chicago Teachers Union – are up for contract negotiations this year. CTU’s militant social agenda is being spread by IFT to other teachers unions.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

What to expect with 3 more years of Stacy Davis Gates leading Chicago Teachers Union

By Mailee Smith

05/19/2025

Stacy Davis Gates and her slate of progressive Chicago Teachers Union leaders won reelection on May 16. Illinoisans can expect the union to pursue more money, more power and more radical policies during her continued tenure as union president.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Chicago’s housing red tape remains tangled 1 year since mayor’s pledge

By LyLena Estabine

04/29/2025

It's been a year since Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson released his ‘Cut the Tape’ report to boost affordable housing and economic growth. Little of the red tape has been removed.

TAGS: affordable housing

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

01/28/2025

Published Jan. 28, 2025 Illinois Policy Institute Center for Poverty Solutions, in partnership with the Archbridge Institute By Joshua Bandoch, Ph.D., head of policy, Illinois Policy Institute and Justin Callais, Ph.D., chief economist, Archbridge Institute EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A low-income person’s ability to move up in society is worse in Illinois than in any other Midwestern...

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.

Editorial: Homeless Chicagoans number steady despite 3X city spending on issue

By Hilary Gowins

03/15/2024

The city’s data shows there are 6,139 homeless Chicagoans. That number has barely budged since 2014, when the city counted 6,294 homeless Chicagoans, but city spending on homelessness has jumped from $21.7 million in 2014 to $58 million in 2023.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

San Francisco

What to know about new IFT head Stacy Davis Gates

Chicago Teachers Union’s radical agenda is coming to a school district near you

Mandating unaffordability: How Chicago’s housing affordability requirements decrease supply and increase costs

Contract negotiations in 52 school districts may see Chicago Teachers Union-style radicalism

What to expect with 3 more years of Stacy Davis Gates leading Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago’s housing red tape remains tangled 1 year since mayor’s pledge

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

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

Editorial: Homeless Chicagoans number steady despite 3X city spending on issue

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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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