Committee OKs ‘Homeschool Act;’ fight moves to Illinois House floor
Committee OKs ‘Homeschool Act;’ fight moves to Illinois House floor
Illinoisans over 90,000 times said they opposed a bill regulating homeschools and private schools, but an Illinois House committee passed it anyway. Now the full Illinois House must face constitutional issues and fierce opposition to the bill.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois Federation of Teachers spends $46.1M on state politics
Illinois Federation of Teachers spends $46.1M on state politics
The Illinois Federation of Teachers spent $46.1 million on Illinois political committees since 2010. Campaign cash went to nearly three-quarters of sitting lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly.
By Patrick Andriesen
Testimony: ‘Homeschool Act’ is unconstitutional government intrusion into families’ privacy
Testimony: ‘Homeschool Act’ is unconstitutional government intrusion into families’ privacy
As Illinois House members consider regulating homeschools and private schools, Illinois Policy and parents across Illinois have registered their opposition to government intrusion into constitutionally protected rights.
By Mailee Smith
Tier 2 pensions a better deal for long-term state workers than Social Security
Tier 2 pensions a better deal for long-term state workers than Social Security
Career state workers receiving a Tier 2 pension stand to retire with significantly higher payouts than Social Security would deliver.
By LyLena Estabine
Lawmakers push for more transparency on Illinois State Board of Education spending
Lawmakers push for more transparency on Illinois State Board of Education spending
House Bill 2574 aims to empower parents and taxpayers with more access to information about the Illinois State Board of Education’s spending.
By Hannah Schmid
March Madness means $400 million in bets from Illinoisans
March Madness means $400 million in bets from Illinoisans
Illinoisans will wager roughly $400M during March Madness based on last year’s numbers. Sportsbooks in Illinois will also be paying a higher tax than ever before.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois job growth modest amid high unemployment, competitive market
Illinois job growth modest amid high unemployment, competitive market
Illinois’ unemployment improved somewhat in January. It ranked fifth highest in the nation after being third highest for months.
By Ravi Mishra
‘Homeschool Act’ attacks religious rights of homeschool, private school parents
‘Homeschool Act’ attacks religious rights of homeschool, private school parents
House Bill 2827 would require the collection of personal information – including religious affiliation – of private school and homeschool families all over the state. That violates families’ constitutional rights.
By Mailee Smith
Which teachers’ union affiliate represents your school district?
Which teachers’ union affiliate represents your school district?
Dues money collected by local teachers unions rarely stays local. Instead, money flows up to state or national affiliates, where the priorities are politics and union boss expenses – not representing teachers.
By Jess Plowman
Illinois might cap ticket resale prices, fees
Illinois might cap ticket resale prices, fees
Illinois lawmakers are considering new rules for buying and selling tickets to sporting events and concerts, including a cap on resale prices and fees.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois again considers taxing drivers per mile
Illinois again considers taxing drivers per mile
There’s another push in Springfield to tax motorists by the mile. Illinoisans already pay the second-highest gas taxes in the nation behind only California.
By Dylan Sharkey
Angela Harris
Angela Harris
Angela Harris homeschools six children on the South Side of Chicago – two of her own, plus four cousins. She attended Cherry Pie Day at the state capitol to oppose House Bill 2827, which would force her family to register with the local public school. “I worked with families in social services, and even before...
Illinois might pay for Bears’ stadium – if they have winning seasons
Illinois might pay for Bears’ stadium – if they have winning seasons
A new bill in Springfield would require the Chicago Bears and other teams to have a few winning seasons before they can expect taxpayer help for stadiums.
By Dylan Sharkey
5 bills to push back against Illinois’ culture of political corruption
5 bills to push back against Illinois’ culture of political corruption
Legislation in the Illinois House would empower inspectors general, restrict lobbying by elected leaders, add protections against conflicts of interest and end last-minute amendments to legislation.
By Joe Tabor