Editorial: Illinois’ very slow COVID-19 recovery painted as a win by state leaders
Editorial: Illinois’ very slow COVID-19 recovery painted as a win by state leaders
State leaders issued a report touting Illinois’ abandonment of representational government in favor of executive fiat during the pandemic as effective. They failed to take responsibility for job recovery lagging the nation by a year and seeing public schools suffer.
By Hilary Gowins
Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd-worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd-worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate for April was near the highest in the U.S. Its recovery lags the nation by nearly a full percentage point.
By Jon Josko, Ravi Mishra
Illinois lawmakers plan to ban some food ingredients
Illinois lawmakers plan to ban some food ingredients
The Illinois Senate approved legislation banning four food additives, sending it to the House. Manufacturers will need to sell an alternate recipe in Illinois if the bill becomes law.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois lawmakers consider ‘Worker Freedom of Speech Act’ to restrict employers
Illinois lawmakers consider ‘Worker Freedom of Speech Act’ to restrict employers
A new bill in the Illinois General Assembly would ban employers from penalizing employees who do not show up to sponsored meetings. Employers could face $1,000 fines.
By Dylan Sharkey
Did neighbors leave your town last year?
Did neighbors leave your town last year?
Illinois continued to lose population last year, with people leaving 75% of the communities in the state. But what about your town? Did it lose or gain, and by how much?
By Brad Weisenstein
3 in 4 Illinois communities lost population in 2023
3 in 4 Illinois communities lost population in 2023
Chicago lost the most, but communities across Illinois lost population in 2023. Three-fourths of the cities and towns lost people.
By Ravi Mishra
9 years of decline: Expect Chicago to be No. 4 behind Houston by 2035
9 years of decline: Expect Chicago to be No. 4 behind Houston by 2035
Chicago lost 8,208 residents in 2023, the third-largest decline of any city in the nation. At this rate, the Second City will drop from No. 3 to No. 4 by 2035
By Bryce Hill
Chicago Teachers Union cuts class to lobby, costing taxpayers up to $141K
Chicago Teachers Union cuts class to lobby, costing taxpayers up to $141K
Chicagoans could end up paying between $93K and $141K to cover the cost of substitutes for the roughly 650 Chicago Public School teachers and staff who lobbied lawmakers May 15 in Springfield.
By Patrick Andriesen, Bryce Hill
Chicago Teachers Union in Springfield seeking more cash when they already get a lot
Chicago Teachers Union in Springfield seeking more cash when they already get a lot
Chicago Public Schools teachers traveled May 15 to Springfield for a “day of action” to ask for $1.1 billion in additional state funding. CPS already spends the second-most per student of Illinois’ 10 largest school districts.
By Hannah Schmid
Recap: 1 year of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, watch out in Year 2
Recap: 1 year of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, watch out in Year 2
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson took office on May 15, 2023. One year later, none of the $800 million in new taxes have passed. But expect a big taxpayer impact during his second year: he’s negotiating a contract with his former employer, the Chicago Teachers Union.
By Dylan Sharkey
Vallas: Mayor Johnson’s 1st year delivers the mayhem he promised
Vallas: Mayor Johnson’s 1st year delivers the mayhem he promised
Mayor Brandon Johnson hits the one-year mark May 15, showing voters he is exactly who he said he was. That’s turning out to be bad for Chicago. Here’s how.
By Paul Vallas
CTU leadership demanding green buses, carbon-free schools
CTU leadership demanding green buses, carbon-free schools
The Chicago Teachers Union is demanding a fleet of 100% green buses for Chicago Public Schools and other climate justice policies as part of its new contract demands.
By Dylan Sharkey