Academic proficiency is down, chronic absenteeism is up and Chicago Public Schools celebrates its rates of students graduating and freshmen “on-track.”
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker intends to extend his COVID-19 emergency powers until May 11. Illinois is 1 of only 7 states still claiming disaster status as a result of COVID-19.
Illinoisans gave up $50 on average to fines and fees last year. That’s the second-most in the nation and almost double the U.S. average.
Each restaurant in the Chicago Loop along the “L” system’s Red Line averaged 1.2 crimes during 2021 and 2022, the most along the line. South of the Loop, there was less than one crime per restaurant.
Super Bowl betting will likely be a $1 million-plus revenue stream for a third consecutive year in Illinois. If the wagering projection is correct, the revenue could top $2 million on Sunday.
Voting patterns are changing in Chicago, with mail voting doubling since 2011. One-third of all votes in the 2019 primary were sent by mail or cast early.
Voters will decide the Chicago mayor’s race shortly. Here are the issues and policies the candidates should champion if they want a more prosperous and vibrant city.
A state lawmaker wants to force select Chicago businesses to hire full-time, armed security guards.
The typical career state worker collected $82,478 in annual pension benefits, recouping more income in 17 months of retirement than they contributed over 35 years. Working Illinoisans only earned $59,650 a year.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced he will follow President Biden and end Illinois’ disaster declarations on May 11. Most states long ago quit using emergency powers, leaving Illinois as 1 of 7 states still claiming COVID-19 is a public health emergency.
Just like Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel did late in his term, Mayor Lori Lightfoot is calling for public pension reforms. Pensions are damaging cities, she said.
Chronic absenteeism rates are higher in Chicago than statewide, with 49% of low-income Chicago students missing at least 10% of their days in school. That rate has nearly doubled since the pandemic.