5 ways Illinois can learn from Colorado’s ‘blue state’ literacy reforms

By Hannah Schmid

12/25/2024

Colorado lawmakers passed an act in 2012 to focus on early literacy development and the science of reading. Its fourth graders are now in the Top 5 states for reading proficiency. Illinois can benefit from adopting five of their tactics.

TAGS: literacy, public schools

What Illinois can learn from Florida’s emphasis on early literacy

By Hannah Schmid

11/21/2024

Florida state lawmakers began mandating science-based literacy education in the early 2000s. It improved reading proficiency among early grades and cemented Florida as a leader in early literacy education. Illinois should do the same.

TAGS: Florida, literacy

Cracking down on fare evasion can help deter Chicago transit crime

By Chris Coffey

10/31/2024

Washington, D.C., and New York City have cracked down on fare evasion because it is linked to serious and violent crime. The Chicago Transit Authority should do the same to curb its growing crime problem.

TAGS: CTA: Chicago Transit Authority

Illinois’ tax credit scholarship program for low-income students saved taxpayer dollars

By Hannah Schmid

10/23/2024

The Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship program saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars before it was killed by teachers’ unions, according to a new study.

TAGS: Invest in Kids

Illinois can learn from Massachusetts, Washington D.C. for career programs

By Aayush Goodpaty

10/22/2024

Illinois can learn from other programs on how to prepare residents facing a benefits cliff, where low-income families are penalized for advancing in their careers.

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

By Josh Bandoch, Larry Han

10/16/2024

Published Oct. 16, 2024 Illinois finds itself at a crossroads: will it empower minorities and poor people to unleash their potential, or will it perpetuate an inequitable status quo? For far too many Illinoisans, opportunity is unfairly and unnecessarily out of reach. Illinois ranks in the bottom ten among all states in social mobility and...

How Mississippi ended its worst-in-the-nation early literacy epidemic

By Hannah Schmid

09/27/2024

Mississippi state lawmakers enacted science-based literacy legislation in 2013, laying the groundwork for improved reading proficiency among early grades, and additional legislation in 2016 to solidify improvement in literacy trends.

Illinois part of national epidemic, with only 1 in 3 students reading well

By Hannah Schmid

09/19/2024

Student literacy is in trouble nationally, which is why Illinois is one of 35 states where just 1 in 3 – or fewer – of its fourth graders met reading standards in 2022.

4 new occupational licensing laws remove barriers in Illinois

By Joe Tabor

09/05/2024

Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently OK’d four new laws that would expand the ability for professionals to practice in Illinois. While they are advancements, Illinois’ onerous occupational licensing system needs comprehensive reform.

TAGS: occupational licensing

Can noncitizens vote in Illinois?

By Chris Coffey

07/09/2024

The influx of migrants to Chicago and Illinois presents a potential voting bloc ahead of the 2024 election. Some politicians have tried to get them the vote. Others have tried to prevent it.

TAGS: election

Washington

5 ways Illinois can learn from Colorado’s ‘blue state’ literacy reforms

What Illinois can learn from Florida’s emphasis on early literacy

Cracking down on fare evasion can help deter Chicago transit crime

Illinois’ tax credit scholarship program for low-income students saved taxpayer dollars

Illinois can learn from Massachusetts, Washington D.C. for career programs

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

How Mississippi ended its worst-in-the-nation early literacy epidemic

Illinois part of national epidemic, with only 1 in 3 students reading well

4 new occupational licensing laws remove barriers in Illinois

Can noncitizens vote in Illinois?

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students