Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Ep. 58: The Chicago Teachers Union’s 2019 strike three years later

Ep. 58: The Chicago Teachers Union’s 2019 strike three years later

This week’s Policy Shop comes from Mailee Smith, staff attorney and director of labor policy at the Illinois Policy Institute Three years ago, the Chicago Teachers Union walked out on students. The strike lasted 11 school days, and the resulting five-year contract is estimated to cost taxpayers $1.5 billion. In the 12 years since the...

Minister sees ballot question as property tax threat after nearly losing home

Minister sees ballot question as property tax threat after nearly losing home

The Rev. Phalese Binion worked to help people find affordable housing, but she didn’t truly understand the property tax problem until she bought her own home. Now the former union member sees a new property tax threat from Amendment 1.

Ep. 57: The $2B small business tax hike on Illinoisans’ ballots

Ep. 57: The $2B small business tax hike on Illinoisans’ ballots

New research from the Illinois Policy Institute projects that commercial property taxes for Illinois businesses will grow to almost $2 billion by 2026. Amendment 1 on the Nov. 8 ballot would likely increase that amount even more. Illinois Policy Institute Vice President Austin Berg explains why Amendment 1 would make Illinois’ notorious business climate even...

Josh Mammen

Josh Mammen

“Others should also vote ‘no’ for Amendment 1 since its costs are undefined and limitless. Property tax increases hurt everyone, and Amendment 1 will only make it worse. This is unsustainable.”

Chicago issues over 1M parking tickets in 6 months

Chicago issues over 1M parking tickets in 6 months

Three years after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot campaigned on a pledge to reduce fines and fees, the city issued over 1 million parking tickets in the first half of 2022 – a 25% bump from the same period a year earlier.

By Patrick Andriesen