‘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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How the Chicago Teachers Union’s political machine works
How the Chicago Teachers Union’s political machine works
Brandon Johnson’s ‘mansion tax’ would likely hurt Chicago renters
Brandon Johnson’s ‘mansion tax’ would likely hurt Chicago renters
Mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson seeks to triple the real estate transfer tax on real estate valued at $1 million or more. That would include apartment complexes. In Los Angeles, a similar tax has hurt housing.
The Policy Shop: How to fix Illinois public schools’ falling test scores
The Policy Shop: How to fix Illinois public schools’ falling test scores
This edition of The Policy Shop comes to you from Policy Analyst Hannah Max. Thousands of high schoolers are gearing up to take the SAT next month. Year after year, SAT scores have dropped for high school students in Illinois and Chicago. The first year Illinois used the SAT rather than the ACT to measure...