Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

What Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2024 budget means for Chicagoans

What Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2024 budget means for Chicagoans

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson presented his first budget to other city leaders on Oct. 11. While he kept his promise not to raise property taxes, there are other fiscal challenges that will hit taxpayers hard in the future and need to be addressed now.

By Josh Bandoch

Chicago homicides in 2022 up 43% above pre-pandemic levels

Chicago homicides in 2022 up 43% above pre-pandemic levels

Chicagoans reported 43% more homicides in 2022 than in 2019, the last baseline year before COVID-19 pandemic tensions ushered in two of the city’s deadliest years in a quarter century. Few communities were exempt from the rise in violent crime.

By Patrick Andriesen

Tina Lavery

Tina Lavery

"I pulled her and her twin sister from public school because of severe bullying. There was an incident where I could not send them back.”

Vallas: Prepare for next Chicago Teachers Union contract to hurt

Vallas: Prepare for next Chicago Teachers Union contract to hurt

As negotiations begin on a new Chicago Teachers Union contract, expect them to push for higher pay, less work, less accountability and less competition. None of those things will lead to better educations for Chicago’s children.

By Paul Vallas