Housing gets boost by easing parking lot mandates near transit
Housing gets boost by easing parking lot mandates near transit
The Illinois General Assembly just eliminated parking minimums for developments near transit hubs. That flexibility should boost housing.
By LyLena Estabine
Chicago Teachers Union lobby day costs taxpayers up to $19.3K
Chicago Teachers Union lobby day costs taxpayers up to $19.3K
More than 100 teachers left struggling students, cost taxpayers as much as $19,300 for Chicago Teachers Union “lobby day.”
By Lilly Rossi
American Federation of Teachers place politics, leader priorities over members
American Federation of Teachers place politics, leader priorities over members
Union accounting shows just 36% of its spending was on representing teachers in 2025, while it spent more than $41 million on politics.
By Mailee Smith
Scores down, absences up for Chicago low-income, minority students
Scores down, absences up for Chicago low-income, minority students
Chicago Public Schools’ low-income and minority students recorded lower proficiency rates than the state average. They are also missing more school.
By Hannah Schmid
Over 2-in-5 Chicago teachers chronically absent
Over 2-in-5 Chicago teachers chronically absent
Last year, 43% of Chicago Public Schools teachers missed 10 or more school days. Statewide, it was 34%.
By Hannah Schmid
Pritzker boosts lawsuit rights for outsiders, limits Illinoisans
Pritzker boosts lawsuit rights for outsiders, limits Illinoisans
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker made it harder for Illinoisans to sue the state but just made it easier for outsiders to sue businesses here.
By Joe Tabor
Transit fares frozen as Chicago drivers hit with 45-cent toll hikes
Transit fares frozen as Chicago drivers hit with 45-cent toll hikes
The transit rescue plan freezes fares, raises tolls, hikes sales taxes and diverts road funds – adding to taxpayers’ burdens.
By Ravi Mishra
Chicago’s high sales taxes about to increase to No. 1 in nation
Chicago’s high sales taxes about to increase to No. 1 in nation
Chicago-area sales taxes were already No. 2 in the U.S., but new taxing authority handed to the Regional Transportation Authority will raise them to No. 1.
By Ravi Mishra
Baker & Taylor library supplier closing, laying off 318
Baker & Taylor library supplier closing, laying off 318
A major library supplier formerly employing 1,500 will cease operations at the end of the year, laying off 318 workers in October at its Momence distribution center.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Cook County property tax bills finally getting mailed, due Dec. 15
Cook County property tax bills finally getting mailed, due Dec. 15
Cook County leaders announced the second installment of property tax bills will be mailed by Nov. 14 with a Dec. 15 due date.
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois punishes independents, meaning just 1 got on 2024 ballot
Illinois punishes independents, meaning just 1 got on 2024 ballot
Illinois puts lots of restrictions on independent candidates. Just one got on the 2024 ballot in 155 races.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago budgets $210M for vacant jobs
Chicago budgets $210M for vacant jobs
Chicago has thousands of job vacancies that receive city funding, leaving taxpayers to pay for empty positions that spur massive overtime costs.
By Geoff Feinstein
Illinois drops 6 spots in 6 years for tax competitiveness
Illinois drops 6 spots in 6 years for tax competitiveness
Illinois’ state tax competitiveness ranking dropped six spots – from 32nd to 38th in the past six years. That’s the worst in the Midwest.
By Patrick Andriesen