Chicago-area firefighters battle to kick out union

By Mailee Smith

01/12/2022

Carpentersville firefighters collected enough signatures to trigger the removal of SEIU as their union, but SEIU is fighting back against their freedom to choose.

TAGS: Carpentersville, firefighters, government unions, SEIU: Service Employees International Union

New study gives Illinois an ‘F’ for civics and history education standards

By Noah Shaar

07/01/2021

A recent study by the Fordham Institute critiqued Illinois’ education standards for U.S. history and civics education. Illinois’ standards lacked mention of historical concepts and did not offer goals for what each grade should learn in civics and U.S. History.

TAGS: education, Illinois, public schools

Pritzker breaks promise to end Illinois gerrymandering

By Brad Weisenstein

04/28/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker promised on the campaign trail and repeatedly after that, including earlier this year, to end partisan gerrymandering of political maps. Now he says, ‘Nevermind.’ He trusts lawmakers.

TAGS: fair maps, gerrymandering, JB Pritzker

How COVID-19 is throwing Illinoisans’ next choices for Congress in doubt

By Joe Tabor

02/23/2021

Because of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau will not have the data for states’ political redistricting until the end of September. Illinois faces problems likely to land any political maps in court.

TAGS: COVID-19, legislative map, U.S. Congress

Kilbride takes $550K from Madigan despite vowing not to accept ‘one penny’ from speaker’s committees

By Joe Tabor

10/23/2020

The Democratic Party of Illinois campaign committee, chaired by House Speaker Mike Madigan, recently contributed to Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride’s retention campaign. Kilbride had sworn he would take no Madigan money.

TAGS: corruption, Illinois Supreme Court, Mike Madigan, Thomas Kilbride

Madigan spent millions to elect, retain Illinois Supreme Court Justice Kilbride

By Joe Tabor

10/09/2020

Committees controlled by the speaker of the Illinois House funded more than half of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride’s campaign contributions in 2010. Kilbride is up for retention again this year.

TAGS: Illinois Supreme Court, Mike Madigan, Thomas Kilbride

Pritzker gets OK to treat businesses as criminals for failing to enforce his COVID-19 mask order

By Brad Weisenstein

08/11/2020

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker again turned to criminal penalties to gain compliance with his coronavirus mandates. He is targeting business owners when customers and staff fail to wear masks.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, JB Pritzker, small business

Pritzker lifts 10-person limit on religious gatherings after facing legal pressure

05/29/2020

After being asked by the U.S. Supreme Court to reply to religious groups’ objections, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced he was ending the 10-person limit on religious gatherings.

TAGS: IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, JB Pritzker, stay at home order, U.S. Supreme Court

Illinois tops list for harshest COVID-19 restrictions in America

05/22/2020

Illinois was ranked as the most restrictive state in the U.S. in a survey of COVID-19 actions that impact everyday life.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order

Nonunion Chicago educators sue CTU, AFT to end forced union dues

By Vincent Caruso

05/07/2020

While members can opt out of CTU at any time, the union says they may only stop paying the union if they do so during a one-month period. A lawsuit filed against the union argues this violates teachers’ First Amendment rights.

TAGS: AFT: American Federation of Teachers, Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, government unions, Janus v. AFSCME

Supreme Court of the United States

Chicago-area firefighters battle to kick out union

New study gives Illinois an ‘F’ for civics and history education standards

Pritzker breaks promise to end Illinois gerrymandering

How COVID-19 is throwing Illinoisans’ next choices for Congress in doubt

Kilbride takes $550K from Madigan despite vowing not to accept ‘one penny’ from speaker’s committees

Madigan spent millions to elect, retain Illinois Supreme Court Justice Kilbride

Pritzker gets OK to treat businesses as criminals for failing to enforce his COVID-19 mask order

Pritzker lifts 10-person limit on religious gatherings after facing legal pressure

Illinois tops list for harshest COVID-19 restrictions in America

Nonunion Chicago educators sue CTU, AFT to end forced union dues

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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