Illinois’ college-first approach isn’t working
Illinois’ college-first approach isn’t working
Many people still view a college degree as a requirement into the workforce and toward future prosperity. The data beg to differ.
White, Black communities lead Illinois’ population decline; Hispanic, Asian communities growing
White, Black communities lead Illinois’ population decline; Hispanic, Asian communities growing
Illinois’ Hispanic population is growing the most while the Asian population growing the fastest.
Chicago Public Schools employs 5,500 more staff members for 32,000 fewer students during past four years
Chicago Public Schools employs 5,500 more staff members for 32,000 fewer students during past four years
Enrollment at Chicago Public Schools has dropped by 31,905 students since 2019. The district’s staff has increased by 5,472 full-time equivalent staff members over that same period. CPS now has 323,251 students and 43,255 staff members, including teachers.
DAILY LINKS / 7.11.2024
The Center Square: Judge sentences McCann to 3.5 years in prison for campaign violations Chicago Sun-Times: CPS proposes cutting administrative costs, restructuring debt to close $500M deficit The Chicago Tribune: After violent holiday weekend, Chicago civic leaders announce $100 million for crime-fighting efforts WTTW: Pritzker Signs Health Insurance Reform Measures Into Law The Daily Herald: Transit agency leaders push back on calls to merge Pace, CTA, Metra WCIA: 2024 marijuana sales reach $1 billion in Illinois Belleville News-Democrat: Proposed ordinance change would limit development of ‘tiny homes’ in BellevilleIllinois Fourth of July drivers face 2nd-highest gas taxes in the nation
Illinois Fourth of July drivers face 2nd-highest gas taxes in the nation
This coming Independence Day, motorists fueling up in Illinois will be paying even more at the gas pump.
Chicago violent crime up 8% through May, spurred by spike in robberies
Chicago violent crime up 8% through May, spurred by spike in robberies
Chicagoans reported 7.8% more violent crime from June 2023 through May 2024, led primarily by a spike in robberies. West and South Side residents bore the brunt of the increase as arrest rates continued to decline.
Chicago City Council considers 16 new tax and fee hikes
Chicago City Council considers 16 new tax and fee hikes
Chicago Ald. Will Hall, 6th ward, proposed 16 new tax and fee hikes to fellow city council members in a survey.
The K-12 achievement gap in Illinois holds low-income students back
The K-12 achievement gap in Illinois holds low-income students back
In 2023, just 35.4% of Illinois public school students were proficient in reading and 27.1% in math. For low-income students in particular, the numbers were distressingly lower.
Illinois’ declining labor force participation rate explains stubborn poverty rate
Illinois’ declining labor force participation rate explains stubborn poverty rate
Data shows Illinoisans who would have been working a generation ago are not today.
The Policy Shop: How the Chicago Teachers Union lobbies for failure
The Policy Shop: How the Chicago Teachers Union lobbies for failure
This edition of The Policy Shop is by policy analyst Hannah Schmid. If you were given $68,000 per student and two staffers for every three students, what do you think the result would be? National Honor Society graduates with Ivy League schools clamoring for their presence? Well, not if you gave that money to the Chicago Teachers...
The four-step approach to escaping poverty
The four-step approach to escaping poverty
The relationship between family formation and prosperity is accepted across the political spectrum.
Chicago’s affordable housing program rife with red tape
Chicago’s affordable housing program rife with red tape
Time-consuming steps in Chicago’s affordable housing program stops the city from seeing more housing.
Illinois tied for third-worst unemployment rate in the U.S.
Illinois tied for third-worst unemployment rate in the U.S.
Illinois' employment growth lags the nation and neighboring states in May.
How public programs can penalize workers earning more
How public programs can penalize workers earning more
Families trying to escape poverty are sometimes worse off with greater incomes because of benefits cliffs hidden in public programs.