Illinois home price growth lagged rest of nation
Illinois home price growth lagged rest of nation
Illinois declining population was partly responsible for lower growth housing values and Illinois slower recovery.
Illinois has recovered only 69% of its pre-pandemic jobs
Illinois has recovered only 69% of its pre-pandemic jobs
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois’ economic recovery in 2021 lagged other states. A lack of in-person schooling, fewer economic opportunities and high taxes only exacerbated the ongoing population loss.
Pritzker: Teachers union pet
Pritzker: Teachers union pet
DAILY LINKS / 2.19.2024
Chicago Tribune: As corruption trials continue, Illinois lobbyist reform effort pushed in General Assembly ABC 7 Chicago: CPS board to discuss resolution to take over School Resource Officer decision from local councils WTTW: Johnson Promises to Spend All of Chicago’s Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds, With Focus on ‘Disinvested’ Communities FOX 32 Chicago: Wilmette approves Ryan Field rebuild for concerts despite resident objections Chicago Sun-Times: ShotSpotter contract with Chicago extended through end of summerIllinois may borrow $1B for pension buyouts
Illinois may borrow $1B for pension buyouts
Illinois lawmakers might borrow $1 billion to extend pension buyout programs until 2026. Experts warn the efforts have been a disappointment and will do little to ease Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation pension crisis.
Invest in Kids scholarships help single moms get kids through tough times
Invest in Kids scholarships help single moms get kids through tough times
Illinois’ tax credit scholarship program for low-income families helped these three single moms and their children. Education during COVID-19 is failing low-income students, but the program can help if state lawmakers back bills to save and expand it.
Illinois 3rd-most regulated state in U.S.
Illinois 3rd-most regulated state in U.S.
Illinois has the nation’s third-highest number of state regulations and double the U.S. average. Regulations make life hard for Illinois’ small businesses, where most Illinois jobs are created.
700 days of rule by executive order under J.B. Pritzker
700 days of rule by executive order under J.B. Pritzker
Today marks day 700 of life in Illinois under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s emergency executive orders. Other governors, including neighboring Iowa, are rolling back executive control, and the majority of Midwest states are no longer under emergency authority.
Pritzker keeps mask mandates for schools indefinitely
Pritzker keeps mask mandates for schools indefinitely
The governor’s maintenance of statewide school mask mandates without benchmarks for their removal makes Illinois an outlier.
Pritzker extends indoor mask mandate through Feb. 28, keeps students masked
Pritzker extends indoor mask mandate through Feb. 28, keeps students masked
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is keeping Illinois’ indoor mask mandate in place through Feb. 28. Schools statewide will be required to keep students and staff masked.
Less Illinois school bureaucracy would help students achieve
Less Illinois school bureaucracy would help students achieve
Half of Illinois’ school districts serve one to two schools. Consolidating school districts, but leaving schools alone, would decrease administrative costs and yield more money for classrooms to boost student achievement.
Illinois taxpayers pay nearly 78% of state health insurance
Illinois taxpayers pay nearly 78% of state health insurance
Amendment 1 would stop voters and lawmakers from curbing government unions’ ability to demand more from taxpayers, including platinum health insurance the average Illinoisan doesn’t enjoy.
How Illinois schools are using $7.9B in COVID-19 aid
How Illinois schools are using $7.9B in COVID-19 aid
Illinois has already distributed billions in federal COVID-19 relief funds for education to school districts. The pandemic windfall should be used to help lagging students, not create programs requiring new taxes.
$14B in federal COVID-19 stimulus propped up Illinois’ budget
$14B in federal COVID-19 stimulus propped up Illinois’ budget
Despite claims Illinois’ budget was “balanced,” a closer look shows federal stimulus money propped it up. Only long-term reform on pensions, taxes, health care and school district consolidation can balance state finances and end 21 years of deficits.