Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union war on public school choice hurts poor, minority students
Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union war on public school choice hurts poor, minority students
Let’s be clear on who will be impacted by this unrelenting attack on school choice: poor Black and Latino students.
By Paul Vallas
Illinois still hasn’t finalized contract with state workers
Illinois still hasn’t finalized contract with state workers
The contract negotiated between the state and AFSCME Council 31 was ratified by members in July. But the final contract has yet to be released, meaning taxpayers don’t yet know how much it will cost them.
By Mailee Smith
Vallas: How to empower Chicago communities to save failing schools
Vallas: How to empower Chicago communities to save failing schools
Innovation can help Chicago Public Schools improve academic proficiency, but it requires breaking up the centralized power built by the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools. Local control can improve student outcomes.
By Paul Vallas
Rob Calvin
Rob Calvin
Rob Calvin is a real estate agent with @properties. He’s concerned about how the proposed “mansion tax” will impact Chicago’s housing market, hurting properties well below the $1 million price point Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is targeting through a ballot question. “I was watching [the city council] on Oct. 4 when they got into the...
Chicago Teachers Union, affiliates biggest spenders on Chicago politics
Chicago Teachers Union, affiliates biggest spenders on Chicago politics
The Chicago Teachers Union and its state and national affiliates spent nearly $6.5 million on Chicago political candidates between Feb. 28, 2022, and May 4, 2023.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois again seeing one of most-contested elections in 2 decades
Illinois again seeing one of most-contested elections in 2 decades
Illinois politicians have worked hard to protect incumbent state lawmakers and discourage newcomers. But that is changing for the second election cycle in a row as more Illinoisans work to get into the Illinois General Assembly.
By Joe Tabor, Perry Zhao
Chicago Teachers Union president misses deadline to pay back taxes, penalty
Chicago Teachers Union president misses deadline to pay back taxes, penalty
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates missed the deadline to pay $1,533 in back taxes and penalties on her Indiana house. She was fined for taking a homeowner’s property tax break on a South Bend house she didn’t live in.
By Jess Plowman
Vallas: ‘Illinois is back,’ but only in Pritzker’s active imagination
Vallas: ‘Illinois is back,’ but only in Pritzker’s active imagination
Gov. J.B. Pritzker told Crain’s Chicago Business, “Illinois is back.” But with a long list of state and local fiscal and economic problems, that is more spin than reality.
By Paul Vallas
Illinois pension debt grows $2.6 billion in 2023, mainly to cover raises
Illinois pension debt grows $2.6 billion in 2023, mainly to cover raises
Unfunded liabilities for Illinois’ five statewide pension systems grew by $2.5 billion in a year, hitting its second-highest level since 2009. Researchers attributed most of the growth to “larger than expected salary increases.”
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago Teachers Union president owes city $5,579 for utilities
Chicago Teachers Union president owes city $5,579 for utilities
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates has let $5,579 in Chicago water, sewer and trash bills pile up. She makes over $289,000 and demands the “wealthy” pay a greater share. So why doesn’t she pay her fair share to a city in financial turmoil?
By Mailee Smith
Blue Pacheco-Cornejo
Blue Pacheco-Cornejo
"“With all the student-athletes I work with, my goal is to get them to understand the importance of using that work ethic in everything; not just basketball."