Chicago hits record high car thefts, record low arrests in 2023

By Patrick Andriesen

01/22/2024

Chicago drivers reported more car thefts in 2023 than in any year since the city started tracking them. Arrest rates hit their lowest level of the period.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Vallas: How to empower Chicago communities to save failing schools

By Paul Vallas

12/13/2023

Innovation can help Chicago Public Schools improve academic proficiency, but it requires breaking up the centralized power built by the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools. Local control can improve student outcomes.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Carjackings more than double in Chicago from 5 years ago

By Patrick Andriesen

12/04/2023

In a single year, one Chicago neighborhood saw about 1 of every 250 residents carjacked. Carjackings citywide more than doubled in five years.

TAGS: Chicago

Most Invest in Kids scholarships go to families living on $49K or less for 4

By Hannah Schmid

10/18/2023

The majority of families who received scholarships from the Invest in Kids program in the 2022-2023 school year earned the equivalent of just $49,025 for a family of four. Over 25% were below the poverty line.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

4,000 low-income Chicago students on verge of losing scholarships

By Dylan Sharkey

10/13/2023

Thousands of Chicagoans will soon have their scholarships cut off thanks to political pressure from the Chicago Teachers Union.

TAGS: Chicago, Invest in Kids

What is the Invest in Kids scholarship program, and why it matters

By Hannah Schmid

10/13/2023

Over 9,600 low-income students rely on the Invest in Kids scholarship program to attend schools that best fit their needs. Here’s what you need to know about the program and why it is important lawmakers extend the program this fall.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Vallas: Fact check on Stacy Davis Gates’ rationalization for fighting, exercising school choice

By Paul Vallas

09/08/2023

Stacy Davis Gates conveniently ignores she and other union bosses actively work to deny poor parents the same educational choices they themselves enjoy. While Davis Gates bemoans “unfair choices” for South Side and West Side parents, she fails to acknowledge CTU leadership is primarily responsible for these disparities.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Illinois boosts scholarships for private colleges, but not for low-income kids

By Dylan Sharkey

05/30/2023

The Illinois General Assembly approved $100 million in grants so students can choose a private or public university. But when it comes to giving that private or public choice to low-income students, there soon may be no choice at all.

TAGS: budget, education, school choice

Chicago restaurant crime along Red Line train highest near Loop stops

By Patrick Andriesen

02/07/2023

Each restaurant in the Chicago Loop along the “L” system’s Red Line averaged 1.2 crimes during 2021 and 2022, the most along the line. South of the Loop, there was less than one crime per restaurant.

TAGS: Chicago, crime, restaurants

Small business owner fears Amendment 1 tax hikes

10/28/2022

Linda Ekendahl hoped buying property for her business would be the best move – until her $30,000 property tax bill came. Another tax hike under Amendment 1 would further damage her business.

South Side

Chicago hits record high car thefts, record low arrests in 2023

Vallas: How to empower Chicago communities to save failing schools

Carjackings more than double in Chicago from 5 years ago

Most Invest in Kids scholarships go to families living on $49K or less for 4

4,000 low-income Chicago students on verge of losing scholarships

What is the Invest in Kids scholarship program, and why it matters

Vallas: Fact check on Stacy Davis Gates’ rationalization for fighting, exercising school choice

Illinois boosts scholarships for private colleges, but not for low-income kids

Chicago restaurant crime along Red Line train highest near Loop stops

Small business owner fears Amendment 1 tax hikes

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