Illinois lawmakers adjourn without saving school choice, but fight will continue
Illinois lawmakers adjourn without saving school choice, but fight will continue
Illinois’ Invest in Kids school choice program for over 9,600 low-income students will end at the close of 2023. But supporters vow to resurrect it during the upcoming legislative session.
By Brad Weisenstein
Invest in Kids press conference: Real students are impacted
Invest in Kids press conference: Real students are impacted
About 150 students and advocates Nov. 8 were in Springfield chanting and trying to persuade state lawmakers to keep the Invest in Kids school choice program. Parents, educators and politicians made the case during a press conference hosted by Illinois Policy.
By Brad Weisenstein
Black, Brown Chicago neighborhoods endure highest poverty rates
Black, Brown Chicago neighborhoods endure highest poverty rates
Minority neighborhoods on Chicago’s South Side and West Side face poverty rates of up to 51%.
By Bryce Hill
Chicago City Council puts ‘mansion tax’ on March 2024 ballot
Chicago City Council puts ‘mansion tax’ on March 2024 ballot
The Chicago City Council is asking voters on the March 2024 ballot to approve or reject a tax increase on the sale of $1 million properties. The move will mainly hit commercial properties, adding to Chicago’s anti-business reputation.
By Dylan Sharkey
Report: Chicago area most corrupt in America
Report: Chicago area most corrupt in America
Chicago is the most corrupt metropolitan area in America for the fourth consecutive year and Illinois is the second-most corrupt state, according to a new report from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Corruption can cost Illinois taxpayers up to $550 million per year.
By Dylan Sharkey
What power do Illinois, Chicago have to fix migrant crisis?
What power do Illinois, Chicago have to fix migrant crisis?
The increase in asylum seekers arriving in Chicago is stressing communities and exhausting resources. What exactly can states and local governments do?
By Joe Tabor
Teachers unions hand nearly $1.5 million to lawmakers ahead of Invest in Kids vote
Teachers unions hand nearly $1.5 million to lawmakers ahead of Invest in Kids vote
Illinois teachers unions want to end scholarships for low-income kids. They've funneled more than $21.5 million to current lawmakers who hold the decision in their hands, with nearly $1.5 million coming just since June 1. Will lawmakers stand with unions, or kids?
By Mailee Smith
Stacy Davis Gates gets a homeowner’s tax break for an Indiana home she doesn’t live in
Stacy Davis Gates gets a homeowner’s tax break for an Indiana home she doesn’t live in
Stacy Davis Gates is taking a property tax break on a house she owns in Indiana but doesn’t live in. She and her husband own a home and reside in Chicago. So how can the Chicago Teachers Union president claim to live in two places?
By Mailee Smith
Chicago Teachers Union records show it paid Brandon Johnson during run for mayor
Chicago Teachers Union records show it paid Brandon Johnson during run for mayor
Johnson announced his bid for mayor on Oct. 27, 2022. CTU’s federal filing shows it paid him more than $75,000 during its 2023 fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2023.
By Mailee Smith
Female Chicagoans 21% more likely to be impoverished than males
Female Chicagoans 21% more likely to be impoverished than males
The male-female poverty gap is higher in Chicago than in other cities.
By Bryce Hill
Poverty highest for Black, Asian Chicagoans; lower for white, Hispanic residents
Poverty highest for Black, Asian Chicagoans; lower for white, Hispanic residents
Poverty in Chicago’s Black community is on the rise despite falling to record lows nationally.
By Bryce Hill