IDES report detailing scope of Illinois unemployment fraud remains unpublished one year later

By Patrick Andriesen

02/14/2022

Nearly a year after Illinois lawmakers requested a comprehensive audit of state unemployment fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic, IDES, the state agency in charge of issuing assistance, remains unable to tabulate how much money was lost to scammers.

TAGS: fraud, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Over 22,000 Illinois school employees stop handing their pay to a union

By Mailee Smith

08/12/2021

Educators across Illinois are exercising their rights, with over 22,000 fewer school employees sending dues or fees to teachers unions than in 2017.

TAGS: IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, opt out, teachers union

Here’s how IEA, NEA unions said they spent teachers’ money in 2020

By Mailee Smith

08/12/2021

The Illinois Education Association and National Education Association filed federal reports showing how they spent money in 2020. Little was spent on what most assume is a teachers union’s central mission – representing teachers.

How does your teachers union spend money? Here’s what AFT, IFT reported in 2020

By Mailee Smith

08/12/2021

The Illinois Federation of Teachers and National Federation of Teachers filed federal reports showing how they spent money in 2020. Little was spent on what most assume is a teachers union’s central mission – representing teachers.

State unemployment fraud could cost Illinoisans more than $1 billion

By Patrick Andriesen

07/28/2021

A recent report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security revealed the state lost at least $14.8 million to fraudsters during the pandemic. But experts warn the full extent of state fraud could be closer to $1 billion.

TAGS: fraud, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Illinois ranks 7th worst in U.S. for pandemic unemployment assistance rollout

By Patrick Andriesen

06/08/2021

Illinois was among the nation’s worst for delays in helping gig workers and the self-employed receive pandemic assistance unemployment payments, a federal audit found. Rampant fraud and inadequate reporting was also discovered nationwide.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois, unemployment

Illinois Forward 2022: COVID-19 makes pension reform imperative to protecting taxpayers, services for vulnerable Illinoisans

By Adam Schuster

03/17/2021

Illinois has a chance to fix its state finances, thanks to federal relief. But unless pension growth is brought under control, both retirees and taxpayers will be at risk as debt continues to consume state services.

Potential CTU strike about boosting power of nation’s teachers’ unions

By Mailee Smith

01/30/2021

The Chicago Teachers Union prided itself as the vanguard for a rash of nationwide teacher strikes following its 2012 walkout. It’s using the same playbook in 2021.

TAGS: COVID-19, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, strike

Government unions invested $10M in Madigan, but could that end in 2021?

12/23/2020

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has funded a lot of campaigns – and his legal defense – with money from government unions. Even if unions still back him in the New Year, members have options.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, corruption, government unions, Mike Madigan, SEIU: Service Employees International Union, teachers

Illinois sees worst month of job loss in U.S. ahead of ‘fair tax’ vote

By Bryce Hill

10/22/2020

Illinois lost 12,000 jobs in September and is home to the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” proposal would worsen the state’s jobs climate even more.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, jobs, unemployment

United States Department of Labor

IDES report detailing scope of Illinois unemployment fraud remains unpublished one year later

Over 22,000 Illinois school employees stop handing their pay to a union

Here’s how IEA, NEA unions said they spent teachers’ money in 2020

How does your teachers union spend money? Here’s what AFT, IFT reported in 2020

State unemployment fraud could cost Illinoisans more than $1 billion

Illinois ranks 7th worst in U.S. for pandemic unemployment assistance rollout

Illinois Forward 2022: COVID-19 makes pension reform imperative to protecting taxpayers, services for vulnerable Illinoisans

Potential CTU strike about boosting power of nation’s teachers’ unions

Government unions invested $10M in Madigan, but could that end in 2021?

Illinois sees worst month of job loss in U.S. ahead of ‘fair tax’ vote

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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