Cook County population decline, outmigration 2nd-worst in U.S.
Cook County population decline, outmigration 2nd-worst in U.S.
94,344 residents moved out of Cook County, the sole reason for 2022 population decline.
Brandon Johnson’s tax hikes
Brandon Johnson’s tax hikes
Johnson campaign up to $5.6M from teachers unions after another big donation
Johnson campaign up to $5.6M from teachers unions after another big donation
Teachers unions have already bankrolled most of Brandon Johnson’s campaign for Chicago mayor, and the American Federation of Teachers just directed another $500,000 to his war chest.
The Policy Shop: Who’ll be Chicago’s next mayor?
The Policy Shop: Who’ll be Chicago’s next mayor?
This week’s The Policy Shop is by the Illinois Policy Institute’s Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research, and Mailee Smith, senior director of labor policy and staff attorney. In this episode of “Choose Chicago’s Next Mayor,” a runoff election April 4 raises major concerns about the future of the city. Stay tuned to...
Illinois’ out-of-state cannabis sales drop to 2-year low
Illinois’ out-of-state cannabis sales drop to 2-year low
Out-of-state cannabis sales fell to $31 million in February, the lowest since February 2021. Missouri starting recreational pot sales at a lower cost is a major factor.
Chicago has more pension debt than 44 states
Chicago has more pension debt than 44 states
Despite claims of Chicago’s improving financial condition, the $48 billion in pension debt for the city’s core retirement systems continues to loom over its fiscal future.
Chicago Teachers Union, affiliates bankroll Brandon Johnson while individuals favor Vallas
Chicago Teachers Union, affiliates bankroll Brandon Johnson while individuals favor Vallas
Over 93% of Brandon Johnson’s Chicago mayor campaign contributions come from 20 unions, while about 71% of Paul Vallas’ come from 1,073 individuals. It’s a union machine versus the people showdown at the election April 4.
Where do Chicago mayor candidates stand on issues voters most care about?
Where do Chicago mayor candidates stand on issues voters most care about?
Crime and taxes top the issues Chicagoans are concerned about in the 2023 mayoral election. Find out where mayoral candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson stand before the April 4 election.
Lightfoot rides off into the sunset
Lightfoot rides off into the sunset
Loophole will let Brandon Johnson collect public pension now worth $1.1M
Loophole will let Brandon Johnson collect public pension now worth $1.1M
Mayoral candidate and Chicago Teachers Union organizer Brandon Johnson is eligible to collect an estimated $1.1 million pension through the Chicago Teachers’ Pension Fund despite only teaching for four years. His future path could yield a public pension worth over $2.8 million.
‘Ballot selfies’ are a felony in Illinois
‘Ballot selfies’ are a felony in Illinois
Voters wanting to show their Election Day pride should be careful. Sharing a voting-booth selfie on social media is a felony in Illinois.
Brandon Johnson negotiates with the Chicago Teachers Union
Brandon Johnson negotiates with the Chicago Teachers Union
Illinois job growth among worst in U.S. during Pritzker’s first term
Illinois job growth among worst in U.S. during Pritzker’s first term
All 11 major industries in Illinois were among the worst in the nation for job growth from January 2019 to January 2023, with each of them ranking in the bottom half in the nation.
The Policy Shop: Are Chicago’s speed cams a money-making scam?
The Policy Shop: Are Chicago’s speed cams a money-making scam?
This week’s Policy Shop is by Illinois Policy Institute writer Patrick Andriesen. Burdens for Chicagoans: increased. The speed cameras issued over three times more tickets in 2022 than before the pandemic in 2019. Last year the city issued more than 2.5 million speed-camera tickets, which generated $84.5 million in revenue. That’s more than two citations...