Illinois’ political corruption keeps people down
Illinois’ political corruption keeps people down
Public corruption is one of the factors hampering social mobility in Illinois, according to a recent report.
Illinois ranks as worst state for low-income earners
Illinois ranks as worst state for low-income earners
A WalletHub study found low-income Illinoisans pay 14% of their annual salary to sales, property and incomes taxes – more than anywhere else in the nation. The state’s middle- and high-income earners weren’t much better off.
Pritzker wants to spend record amount but needs $898M in tax hikes to do it
Pritzker wants to spend record amount but needs $898M in tax hikes to do it
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s record-setting $52.7 billion 2025 spending plan needs massive tax increases. Tax changes will hurt individuals, businesses and local governments.
Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union’s flawed dogma kicked police out of schools
Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union’s flawed dogma kicked police out of schools
The reach of the Chicago Teachers Union combined with their anti-police ideology is putting Chicago’s youth at risk. Chicago Public Schools need school resource officers, but this fall they become police-free zones.
Chicago Teachers Union endorses plan making their property a “mansion”
Chicago Teachers Union endorses plan making their property a “mansion”
The Chicago Teachers Union is pushing a plan to tax “mansions.” But the tax would mainly hit commercial buildings, such as the building where the union is housed.
Chicago Teachers Union is No. 3 funder of Johnson’s tax hike proposal
Chicago Teachers Union is No. 3 funder of Johnson’s tax hike proposal
The Chicago Teachers Union funneled at least $200,000 into the ballot question Mayor Brandon Johnson claims will raise taxes to help the homeless. With no plan on how the money will reduce homelessness, it could become a slush fund for his CTU friends.
The Policy Shop: The Chicago Teachers Union’s affinity for failure
The Policy Shop: The Chicago Teachers Union’s affinity for failure
This edition of The Policy Shop is by policy analyst Hannah Schmid. “We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organisation of this farm depend on us. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. It is for your sake that we drink the milk and eat those apples.” – George Orwell, “Animal Farm” If...
Editorial: Populist Pritzker and the fine print of his budget proposal
Editorial: Populist Pritzker and the fine print of his budget proposal
Tax hikes on businesses and individuals didn’t make the cut in Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget address, but they’re a big part of his budget proposal.
Elections board appeals decision on Chicago Mayor Johnson’s real estate tax plan
Elections board appeals decision on Chicago Mayor Johnson’s real estate tax plan
The Chicago Board of Elections will appeal a Cook County judge’s ruling that Johnson’s $100 million real estate tax plan on the March 19 ballot is unconstitutional and invalid.
Chicago Teachers Union pushing school model where kids perform poorly
Chicago Teachers Union pushing school model where kids perform poorly
Chicago Teachers Union leadership will use this summer’s contract negotiations with Chicago Public Schools to push for expansion of “sustainable community schools” in the district. The model doesn’t work: students perform worse, absenteeism rises.
Judge: Boot unconstitutional ‘mansion tax’ from March 19 ballot
Judge: Boot unconstitutional ‘mansion tax’ from March 19 ballot
A Cook County judge ruled Feb. 23 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s “mansion tax” was unconstitutional and should be removed from the primary election ballot.
Paul Vallas: Illinois’ real ‘State of the State’
Paul Vallas: Illinois’ real ‘State of the State’
Illinois is on an upward path, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said during his State of the State speech. True, by some measures. Not so much by too many measures that matter.
Tio Hardiman
Tio Hardiman
“I grew up around gun violence on the South Side of Chicago between the projects of Avalon Park and the Henry Horner Homes. I saw all these young brothers losing their lives in situations that could have easily been avoided or mediated.” “I started organizing about 20 years ago because I got tired of seeing...
Where are you most likely to get shot in Chicago?
Where are you most likely to get shot in Chicago?
Nearly 1 of every 900 Chicagoans was shot last year, and 1 in 5,000 killed by gunshot. Where was the greatest risk? The Austin neighborhood reported the most fatal shootings as well as the most shootings overall, with 1 shooting for every 414 residents