Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Baileigh Lavery

Baileigh Lavery

“Words cannot even begin to express how much these scholarships can truly mean to someone. I want lawmakers to give other kids opportunities to feel the change I felt.”

Melanie Drews

Melanie Drews

“There are a lot of kids that thrive because they're helped out by these scholarships. Like for our family, my husband went through cancer twice and so it affects what jobs he can or can't do."

The Policy Shop: Chicago’s accelerating wealth flight

The Policy Shop: Chicago’s accelerating wealth flight

This edition of The Policy Shop is by policy advisor Paul Vallas. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s promises are colliding with his problems, which will be on full display today when he delivers his budget address to the City Council. There’s a $538 million projected deficit. There are over 17,000 migrants expected to cost the city...

Shaka Rawls

Shaka Rawls

“The power of these scholarships can’t be summarized in rhetoric or legislation. The power and potential reside with the young people.”

Chicago eliminates subminimum wage for tipped workers

Chicago eliminates subminimum wage for tipped workers

Tipped workers in Chicago will be phased into the city’s $15.80 minimum wage. Proponents said higher wages will help staffing shortages, but opponents said it will lead to higher costs, fewer jobs and maybe backfire for tipped workers’ pay.

By Dylan Sharkey

Chicago Teachers Union runs first reported deficit under Stacy Davis Gates

Chicago Teachers Union runs first reported deficit under Stacy Davis Gates

For the first time since the Chicago Teachers Union started filing federal reports, the union reported spending more money than it took in for its 2023 fiscal year. It underscores members’ concerns about union leaders for years failing to provide required audits.

By Mailee Smith

Heide Renteria

Heide Renteria

“We have to look beyond ourselves and recognize that a program like this helps to give the younger generation an opportunity to be successful in their careers and their education so they can come back and be leaders in the community.”

The Policy Shop: How bad public education keeps people poor

The Policy Shop: How bad public education keeps people poor

This edition of The Policy Shop is by policy analyst Hannah Schmid. Third grade is a critical point in a child’s education. Their futures are often locked in by their ability to read at the end of that year. The chances of graduating high school can be predicted at that point. Their future earnings as adults may...