Invest in Kids press conference: Real students are impacted

By Brad Weisenstein

11/08/2023

About 150 students and advocates Nov. 8 were in Springfield chanting and trying to persuade state lawmakers to keep the Invest in Kids school choice program. Parents, educators and politicians made the case during a press conference hosted by Illinois Policy.

TAGS: education, Invest in Kids, school choice

Chicago homicides in 2022 up 43% above pre-pandemic levels

By Patrick Andriesen

10/12/2023

Chicagoans reported 43% more homicides in 2022 than in 2019, the last baseline year before COVID-19 pandemic tensions ushered in two of the city’s deadliest years in a quarter century. Few communities were exempt from the rise in violent crime.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Steep property tax hikes to hit Chicago businesses struggling from pandemic

By Amy Korte

11/02/2021

While phasing in the tax impact of sharp increases in assessed value could help Cook County’s commercial property owners adjust, holding down property taxes requires reducing spending through public pension reform in Illinois.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, COVID-19, property taxes, small business

Madigan’s Illinois House replacement quits at Madigan’s request

By Brad Weisenstein

02/24/2021

Two days after he picked his replacement as state representative, Mike Madigan asked that replacement to resign over ‘questionable conduct.’ Edward Guerra Kodatt then quit after serving two days, entitling him to $5,789 in salary.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Full Text: Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address

02/17/2021

Delivered virtually Feb. 17, 2021, from the Illinois State Fairgrounds

TAGS: budget, COVID-19, JB Pritzker, State of the State

Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Illinois

By Brad Weisenstein

01/08/2021

This page will be updated daily to reflect developments related to the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois, JB Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot

Citizen’s guide to overseeing elections processes

10/29/2020

Illinoisans can work elections through numerous positions from election judges to polling place technicians

TAGS: ballot, Election Day, voting

Illinois taxpayers charged $1.8M for misleading ‘fair tax’ amendment pamphlet

By Brad Weisenstein

10/16/2020

The blue pamphlets sent to Illinois voters were mandated by law, but the constitutional amendment explanation inside included misleading language in its favor.

TAGS: ballot referendums, election, fair tax, JB Pritzker

Forgotten Illinois: Aurora

12/08/2017

Two sides, one city.

TAGS: Aurora, Caterpillar, East Aurora High School, forgotten illinois, manufacturing, Richard Irvin, small business, West Aurora High School

Chicago’s food-cart ban costs revenue, jobs

By Michael Lucci, Hilary Gowins

09/09/2015

Chicago’s ban on food carts is costing the city jobs and revenue. The city has fallen behind its peers: Street vending from food carts is already legal in 23 of the 25 largest cities in the U.S. The Illinois Policy Institute conducted a survey of nearly 200 Chicago food-cart street vendors to assess the social...

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Invest in Kids press conference: Real students are impacted

Chicago homicides in 2022 up 43% above pre-pandemic levels

Steep property tax hikes to hit Chicago businesses struggling from pandemic

Madigan’s Illinois House replacement quits at Madigan’s request

Full Text: Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State and Budget Address

Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Illinois

Citizen’s guide to overseeing elections processes

Illinois taxpayers charged $1.8M for misleading ‘fair tax’ amendment pamphlet

Forgotten Illinois: Aurora

Chicago’s food-cart ban costs revenue, jobs

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