Illinois Forward 2023: Only pension, budget reform can save taxpayers when federal aid ends

01/30/2022

Published Jan. 30, 2022

Classrooms First Act could put millions into Illinois schools

By Dylan Sharkey

01/17/2022

A bill to cut Illinois’ redundant school district bureaucracy could offer over $300 per student for classroom instruction. No schools would close as Illinois strived to cut administration costs that are double the U.S. average.

TAGS: Classrooms First Act, education spending, school district consolidation

Unions flood politicians with cash: How it buys clout in Illinois General Assembly

By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko

12/22/2021

Government unions in Illinois have tremendous power. Most are allowed to go on strike and can bargain over virtually anything.1 It creates an uneven playing field, with unions able to demand costly provisions in their contracts and threaten to strike – denying Illinoisans needed services – to get what they want.2 Until recently, the potential...

Illinois’ gambling revenue chase closes in on Chicago casinos

By Dylan Sharkey

10/25/2021

Chicago is getting closer to getting a casino, but more ways and places to gamble do not necessarily mean more state revenue. Illinois would be better off betting on pension reform.

TAGS: casino, Chicago, COVID-19, gaming

2 things Waukegan can do to nurture students’ futures

09/16/2021

With rising costs and sinking test scores, school district efficiency and pension reform provide ways to put more money into Waukegan classrooms and improve student achievement.

TAGS: Classrooms First Act, education spending, pensions, Waukegan

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

By Adam Schuster

08/24/2021

Classrooms First Act would benefit virtually all Illinoisans including teachers, parents and students.

Police union contracts hinder discipline in Illinois’ biggest cities

By Mailee Smith

04/21/2021

Both police reform advocates and law enforcement supporters face the same serious obstacle in Illinois: police union contracts include provisions protecting officers from discipline. Those contracts carry more weight than state law.

Three myths about district consolidation under the Classrooms First Act

By Adam Schuster

03/24/2021

A bill that could reduce property taxes and improve education quality faces a misinformation campaign from school district administrators seeking to preserve wasteful bureaucracy. Here are the facts about the Classrooms First Act.

TAGS: administrative bloat, consolidation, Rita Mayfield, school district efficiency

What Lake County voters need to know to vote early or by mail before April 6

By Patrick Andriesen

03/22/2021

Lake County voters have calendar dates to watch if they are voting early or by mail ahead of the April 6 election. Here’s what they need to know.

TAGS: early voting, election, Lake County, vote-by-mail

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.

Waukegan

Illinois Forward 2023: Only pension, budget reform can save taxpayers when federal aid ends

Classrooms First Act could put millions into Illinois schools

Unions flood politicians with cash: How it buys clout in Illinois General Assembly

Illinois’ gambling revenue chase closes in on Chicago casinos

2 things Waukegan can do to nurture students’ futures

Classrooms First: District consolidation can improve Illinois’ education outcomes while saving taxpayers money

Police union contracts hinder discipline in Illinois’ biggest cities

Three myths about district consolidation under the Classrooms First Act

What Lake County voters need to know to vote early or by mail before April 6

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

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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