Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Oak Lawn renews business license amnesty

Oak Lawn renews business license amnesty

Illinois Policy Institute research inspired Oak Lawn to waive licensing fees for hundreds of businesses in the village. The village board unanimously voted to extend the amnesty.

By Dylan Sharkey

Most Chicago students still read, perform math below grade level

Most Chicago students still read, perform math below grade level

Chicago students made gains in proficiency in reading and math on 2023 state assessments compared to 2022, but most students continue to perform below grade level. Overall student proficiency rates remain worse than before the pandemic.

By Hannah Schmid

The Policy Shop: Illinois’ last stand for school choice

The Policy Shop: Illinois’ last stand for school choice

Illinois schoolchildren did a little better this past school year, but they are still behind where they were before the pandemic hit and put them out of their classrooms for large blocks of time. It’s interesting timing as Illinois state lawmakers are showing too little interest in keeping the one thing that worked during the...

Matthew Hamer

Matthew Hamer

Matthew Hamer grew up on Chicago’s South Side. In junior high, his family of four was evicted from their one-bedroom apartment, leaving them in homeless shelters. An abundance of hard work and the intervention of a highly committed teacher allowed Matthew and his brother, Levy, to graduate college and find successful careers. “I still remember...