Washington

Leaving Illinois: An Exodus of People and Money

12/31/2010
Migration between the U.S. states is the ultimate expression of “voting with your feet.” People move for many reasons, but, when examined en masse, it’s clear that public policy significantly influences where people choose to live.

List of ATR Tax Pledge Signers

10/29/2010
by Kristina Rasmussen Americans for Tax Reform just released its 2010 Illinois list of Tax Pledge signers: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) released an updated list of incumbents and challengers in Illinois who have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. These candidates have made a written commitment to their constituents to never raise their...

Rhee Gone

10/14/2010
by Collin Hitt Michelle Rhee has stepped down as head of Washington D.C. Public Schools. Her departure was widely expected after her boss, D.C. mayor Adrian Fenty, was defeated in the city’s mayoral primary election. The new documentary “Waiting for Superman” is making Rhee a household name.  But her bold vision for D.C. schools made...

Rhee or Vallas to Chicago?

10/12/2010
by Collin Hitt Chicago mayoral hopeful Gery Chico says that he’d be interested in bringing Paul Vallas back to run the city’s public school system.  Chico mentioned the possibility to Chicago Magazine columnist Carol Thelsenthal, who had floated the idea of bringing Michelle Rhee from Washington, D.C. to Chicago. I asked announced mayoral candidate Gery Chico, a...

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Chicago Public Schools new CEO?

10/07/2010
by Collin Hitt The unsurprising word has leaked that Chicago schools chief Ron Huberman – a Daley appointee – will leave his post before the beginning of a new administration. Greg Hinz… With Chicago Public Schools officials confirming a Chicago Sun-Times story that schools chief Ron Huberman will leave along with Mayor Richard M. Daley, who else...

Talking Without License = Jail

09/27/2010
by Kristina Rasmussen Can talking without a license land you in a DC jail? From our friends at the Institute for Justice: In Washington, D.C., talking without a license can land you in jail for 90 days. Tonia Edwards and Bill Main are lawbreakers. Nearly every day, they teach a group of people how to ride Segways,...

DuPage: $70 Million in Borrowing

09/07/2010
by Kate Piercy DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom has unveiled a $70 million capital plan with bond projects ranging from improvements to roads and campus grounds, creating bike trails and planting trees. The 30-year plan will cost taxpayers nearly $125 million. Although the projects may sound nice, is this fiscally responsible or fair to...

Fixed Race To The Top?

08/27/2010
by Collin Hitt Illinois lost a very-high-stakes federal grant competition. The “Race To The Top” program has gathered headlines across the country for the better part of a year.  It wrapped up earlier this week, with 12 states and the District of Columbia splitting $4B in stimulus largesse to fund public education. Ostensibly, the grant...