Rauner backs plan to eliminate unfunded school mandates
Rauner backs plan to eliminate unfunded school mandates
Unfunded-mandate relief could mean a savings of $200 million annually for Illinois school districts.
Illinois lost 56 manufacturing jobs per workday in 2015
Illinois lost 56 manufacturing jobs per workday in 2015
Though neighboring and Great Lakes states added a combined 200 factory jobs per workday on net in 2015, an average of 56 Illinois manufacturing workers, on net, received pink slips each workday during the same time.
Civic Federation’s Island
Civic Federation’s Island
Dirty Jobs: Chicago Public Schools
Dirty Jobs: Chicago Public Schools
Illinoisans have nation’s lowest trust in state government by far
Illinoisans have nation’s lowest trust in state government by far
New polling data show nearly 3 in 4 Illinoisans lack confidence in Springfield.
Illinois could see $300 million in savings through criminal-justice transformation
Illinois could see $300 million in savings through criminal-justice transformation
The governor has proposed criminal-justice reforms to save Illinois taxpayers $300 million over the next four years while improving outcomes for offenders and their communities.
Fred Long
Fred Long
“I grew up in Roseland. “We lived in a two-flat with a basement and one bathroom: me and 25 other family members. Drug problems, gang violence, all of that was the reality. “Vocational school was vital for me and I thank God I got a job. It’s a cliché but that totally changed my life....
Education labor board to Chicago Teachers Union: No step-and-lane raises
Education labor board to Chicago Teachers Union: No step-and-lane raises
The value of these raises is estimated at $26 million. CTU wanted the education labor board to compel CPS to pay out, even though the district and the union hadn’t agreed to a labor contract.
Illinoisans have nation’s lowest confidence in state economy
Illinoisans have nation’s lowest confidence in state economy
The need for foundational change couldn’t be more evident in the Land of Lincoln.
Missouri lawmaker proposes bill to allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control
Missouri lawmaker proposes bill to allow pharmacists to prescribe birth control
A Republican-sponsored bill in Missouri could make it easier, less costly and more convenient for women across Illinois’ border to obtain birth control.
State-worker pensions, health care crowd out spending on education, public safety, human services
State-worker pensions, health care crowd out spending on education, public safety, human services
Spending on state-worker pension benefits grew 586 percent between 2000 and 2015.
Obama’s birthday could become next state government holiday
Obama’s birthday could become next state government holiday
A bill introduced by state Rep. Andre Thapedi, D-Chicago, would make President Barack Obama’s Aug. 4 birthday Illinois’ 13th paid state holiday.
Rauner looks to end pension pickups for legislative staffers
Rauner looks to end pension pickups for legislative staffers
The perk costs taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars each year.
Chicago taxpayers’ money funneled to capital markets, professional advisers, according to ‘Bond Girl’
Chicago taxpayers’ money funneled to capital markets, professional advisers, according to ‘Bond Girl’
Chicago taxpayers to pay a significant premium and fees in connection with the $725 million Chicago Public Schools borrowed on Feb. 3.