Highland could be first Illinois city to add a local grocery tax
Highland could be first Illinois city to add a local grocery tax
Illinois’ statewide grocery tax is on its way out, but your local government may add its own. Highland, Illinois, could be the first to do so.
By Dylan Sharkey
Black and Hispanic students thrive in school model Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate
Black and Hispanic students thrive in school model Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate
Black and Hispanic students are around six times more likely to be proficient in reading at selective enrollment high schools compared to traditional public schools in Chicago. But the Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate these schools that are a lifeline to the city’s minority students.
By Hannah Schmid
River Forest considering local grocery tax hike
River Forest considering local grocery tax hike
Illinois is cutting the statewide grocery tax, but some local governments may reestablish it. One Chicago suburb is already moving in that direction. Its neighbor will let taxpayers keep their grocery money.
By Dylan Sharkey
Voter choice wins in slating case before Illinois Supreme Court
Voter choice wins in slating case before Illinois Supreme Court
Illinois lawmakers changed the rules about placing candidates on the ballot in the middle of an election cycle. A judge said they can’t do that and the Illinois Supreme Court dropped the state’s appeal. Now voters will have more choices Nov. 5.
By Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker sends another $250K in taxpayer money to group pushing more taxes
Pritzker sends another $250K in taxpayer money to group pushing more taxes
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget includes $250,000 for a group advocating for increased government spending and higher taxes. He gave the group money last year, too.
By Dylan Sharkey
Democratic delegates are gone, but hotel housing should stay
Democratic delegates are gone, but hotel housing should stay
Clean-up efforts for the Democratic National Convention included putting Chicago’s homeless in hotels used as temporary shelters. Though the celebrity-filled week has ended, this affordable housing approach should be expanded.
By LyLena Estabine
Will back to school in Chicago Public Schools be back to same-old, same-old?
Will back to school in Chicago Public Schools be back to same-old, same-old?
Chicago Public Schools students return to class Aug. 26. Here’s what parents should know about academics, building use, enrollment, absenteeism and finances.
By Hannah Schmid
Grocery bills have increased by nearly $3,000 in just 4 years
Grocery bills have increased by nearly $3,000 in just 4 years
Consumers have been hammered with inflation on groceries during the past four years. Illinois was heading in the right direction by eliminating the tax on them, but now communities are faced with either imposing a new grocery tax or losing the money.
By Ravi Mishra
Democratic delegates need not go far to see why Chicago is U.S. murder capital
Democratic delegates need not go far to see why Chicago is U.S. murder capital
Chicago for the 12th year is America’s murder capital. The deadliest areas are not far from the Democratic National Convention, with at least one a moderate walk from the United Center and others that can be visited on a city-sponsored tour.
By Patrick Andriesen
Johnson hides 8 Chicago homeless camps from Democratic delegates
Johnson hides 8 Chicago homeless camps from Democratic delegates
While Mayor Brandon Johnson has denied clearing Chicago’s homeless encampments had anything to do with the Democratic National Convention, his administration has said otherwise. Even his allies suspect a double standard.
By Patrick Andriesen
What to know about Illinois education as students head back to school
What to know about Illinois education as students head back to school
Students in Illinois are steadily returning to class across Illinois’ 852 school districts, where improvement is needed on the 35% of elementary students who can read at grade level. What to know about how well the state’s public schools are preparing students for life.
By Hannah Schmid
Chicago mayor is Democratic convention’s most unpopular host in 40 years
Chicago mayor is Democratic convention’s most unpopular host in 40 years
New polling on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson showed the lowest approval rating for a mayor hosting the Democratic National Convention in 40 years.
By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg
27% of Chicagoans approve of Mayor Brandon Johnson
27% of Chicagoans approve of Mayor Brandon Johnson
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is about to host the Democratic National Convention. He’ll be a party cheerleader that nearly 2 in 3 Chicagoans would rather not follow.
By Patrick Andriesen