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.
By Bryce Hill
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.
By Mailee Smith
‘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.
By Dylan Sharkey
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.
By Justin Carlson
How to vote in 2023 Chicago runoff election
How to vote in 2023 Chicago runoff election
Early voting and voting by mail is underway in Chicago for the April 4 runoff election, including the mayoral runoff between Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson.
By Hannah Schmid
Illinois families pay highest state, local taxes in nation
Illinois families pay highest state, local taxes in nation
A new WalletHub study found the typical household in Illinois pays 15% of its income to state and local taxes, the highest in the nation. That’s an average of $10,463 – a 22% hike since 2017.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago mayor campaign cash? Johnson nearly all union. Vallas mainly from individuals.
Chicago mayor campaign cash? Johnson nearly all union. Vallas mainly from individuals.
In the race for Chicago mayor, over 95% of Brandon Johnson’s campaign contributions come from 15 unions. Nearly 83% of Paul Vallas’ contributions came from 721 individuals.
By Mailee Smith
Teachers union lobbyists push to end scholarships for low-income students
Teachers union lobbyists push to end scholarships for low-income students
Illinois Families for Public Schools released a statement denouncing tax-credit scholarships in Illinois. Invest in Kids grants low-income students a scholarship to attend a private school of their choice.
By Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker pushes cash to keep teachers in Illinois schools
Pritzker pushes cash to keep teachers in Illinois schools
Gov. J.B. Pritzker introduced a Teacher Pipeline Grant Program to address teacher vacancies, but getting more money into classrooms rather than it chasing retirement debt is a better solution.
By Dylan Sharkey
How to protect your vote from fraud in Illinois
How to protect your vote from fraud in Illinois
Illinois voters can join the growing ranks of registered voters who have applied for permanent vote-by-mail status to ensure they never miss another election and their vote cannot be stolen.
By Hannah Schmid
What are the facts about voting by mail in Illinois?
What are the facts about voting by mail in Illinois?
Applications are open for registered voters to apply to vote by mail in the upcoming April 4 local elections.
By Hannah Schmid