Illinois state university prices up 66% in 16 years

By Patrick Andriesen, Jack Knorr

09/04/2025

The cost of a state university education in Illinois increased 66% between 2009 and 2025, $6,028 more in tuition and fees per year. Blame declining enrollment, a bad state funding formula, pensions and high administrative costs.

TAGS: college tuition, higher education

Illinois tops U.S. in college spending, but loses over 106K students

By Patrick Andriesen, Jack Knorr

09/04/2025

Illinois ranked No. 1 for spending per student on higher education in 2024, paying more than double the national average. Declining enrollment, poorly structured finances, growing pension payments and bloated administration have driven up costs.

TAGS: college tuition, higher education

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

By Josh Bandoch, Lauren Zuar

06/03/2025

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

Top Illinois pensioners invest $1, get $25 back in retirement benefits

By Patrick Andriesen

04/28/2025

Illinois’ top 50 state pensioners can expect an average lifetime payout of $8.47 million despite just $333,844 being contributed during their careers. That’s $1 in, $25 out, thanks to taxpayers.

Chicago drivers face lower speed limit, more cameras after $28M fine drop

By Patrick Andriesen

12/10/2024

Chicago speed cameras sent drivers $28 million less in tickets through September than during the first nine months of 2023. Annual revenues could spike again under proposals to drop the citywide speed limit or boost the number of cameras.

TAGS: Chicago

Apprenticeships can be lifeline for 177,000 idle Illinois youth

By Lauren Zuar

10/10/2024

Apprenticeships are a great alternative to a college degree, and there is high demand in Illinois. They can help the 177,000 Illinois youths who are out of work and out of school.

Chicago mayor challenges aldermanic privilege to fix housing

By Benjamin O'Donnell

07/17/2024

Chicago doesn’t have enough housing, in part because restrictive regulations and zoning drive up costs and headaches for developers. Mayor Brandon Johnson has recommended solid fixes, but the city must restrict aldermanic power.

Chicago speed cameras fined motorists over $102M in 2023

By Patrick Andriesen

04/29/2024

Chicago speed cameras hit motorists with over $102 million in fines during 2023, and $879 million total since they started flashing a decade ago. The mayor promised to eliminate the automated traffic cams, which issued a ticket every 20 seconds last year.

TAGS: Chicago

Testimony begins in former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke corruption trial

By Patrick Andriesen

11/20/2023

After serving more than half a century as a “fixture” on the Chicago City Council, former Ald. Edward Burke now faces 14 counts of federal corruption charges for allegedly abusing his finance chair position and aldermanic powers for personal gain.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Ed Burke

Vallas: Here’s where Chicago Board of Education should put its focus

By Paul Vallas

07/17/2023

Mayoral appointments to the city’s school board tell the public a lot about that mayor’s philosophy. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to who Mayor Brandon Johnson is appointing. It’s also important to understand what options should be on the table when it comes to fixing the failing Chicago Public Schools system.

TAGS: Chicago Board of Education, school choice, teachers union

University of Illinois Chicago

Illinois state university prices up 66% in 16 years

Illinois tops U.S. in college spending, but loses over 106K students

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Top Illinois pensioners invest $1, get $25 back in retirement benefits

Chicago drivers face lower speed limit, more cameras after $28M fine drop

Apprenticeships can be lifeline for 177,000 idle Illinois youth

Chicago mayor challenges aldermanic privilege to fix housing

Chicago speed cameras fined motorists over $102M in 2023

Testimony begins in former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke corruption trial

Vallas: Here’s where Chicago Board of Education should put its focus

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