Chicago ranks among America’s least safe cities

By LyLena Estabine

10/27/2025

While Aurora sits near the top of the safety rankings, Chicago lands near the bottom undermining claims by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson.

TAGS: crime

Illinois cities should learn from Rockford when it comes to spending

By LyLena Estabine

05/29/2025

Since 2017, Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara has cut the property tax rate to 1.93% by cutting costs and spending smarter – a playbook other Illinois cities should copy.

Vallas: Brandon Johnson’s war against Chicago’s Black community

By Paul Vallas

04/01/2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson claims racism is behind his inability to lead and help the Black community. But his policies on crime, taxes, migrants, education and jobs are the real villains.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

4 ways Chicago’s 2025 budget fails, plus hikes property taxes

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

11/01/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2025 budget proposes a nearly $1 billion deficit. High personnel and pension costs have Johnson breaking his campaign promise not to hike property taxes. Plus there’s no plan for long-term fixes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Report: Chicago Teachers Union is new Chicago political machine

By Mailee Smith

09/25/2024

Years of exorbitant political spending in Illinois – more than $24.3 million since 2010 – has secured an enormous amount of political influence for the Chicago Teachers Union. It is now the main political player not just in Chicago, but across the state.

ShotSpotter support highest in Black, Hispanic Chicago wards mayor claims it hurts

By Patrick Andriesen

09/20/2024

Where is support strongest for the gunshot detection system Chicago’s mayor wants to dump? In the Black and Hispanic wards where it is most needed and has saved lives.

TAGS: ShotSpotter

27% of Chicagoans approve of Mayor Brandon Johnson

By Patrick Andriesen

08/16/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is about to host the Democratic National Convention. He’ll be a party cheerleader that nearly 2 in 3 Chicagoans would rather not follow.

Vallas: It’s time for a Chicago nuisance ordinance

By Paul Vallas

05/23/2024

Whether college protest encampments or political convention agitators, Chicago needs a way to penalize the few who disrupt life for the rest of us. A nuisance ordinance would do that.

Recap: 1 year of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, watch out in Year 2

By Dylan Sharkey

05/15/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson took office on May 15, 2023. One year later, none of the $800 million in new taxes have passed. But expect a big taxpayer impact during his second year: he’s negotiating a contract with his former employer, the Chicago Teachers Union.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Vallas: Mayor Johnson’s 1st year delivers the mayhem he promised

By Paul Vallas

05/14/2024

Mayor Brandon Johnson hits the one-year mark May 15, showing voters he is exactly who he said he was. That’s turning out to be bad for Chicago. Here’s how.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

ShotSpotter

Chicago ranks among America’s least safe cities

Illinois cities should learn from Rockford when it comes to spending

Vallas: Brandon Johnson’s war against Chicago’s Black community

4 ways Chicago’s 2025 budget fails, plus hikes property taxes

Report: Chicago Teachers Union is new Chicago political machine

ShotSpotter support highest in Black, Hispanic Chicago wards mayor claims it hurts

27% of Chicagoans approve of Mayor Brandon Johnson

Vallas: It’s time for a Chicago nuisance ordinance

Recap: 1 year of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, watch out in Year 2

Vallas: Mayor Johnson’s 1st year delivers the mayhem he promised

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