5 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, most add jobs in December
5 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, most add jobs in December
Seven of 13 Illinois metro areas added jobs from November to December 2023, led by the St. Louis area. Five metros still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Vallas: Ousting Chicago police from schools could boost violence
Vallas: Ousting Chicago police from schools could boost violence
The Chicago Board of Education is limiting students’ education options and now is putting their safety at greater risk. Bowing to the Chicago Teachers Union’s ‘defund the police’ ideology can expose students to more violence.
By Paul Vallas
Ron Kooyman
Ron Kooyman
“I’ve been in Chicago 30 years. I came to Chicago to do inner-city youth and children’s ministry. I was 36 years old then, and violence has gotten much worse since then. That’s horrendous for somebody to be killed by a couple of criminals in his own yard while putting [Christmas] lights on his house.” “Jose [Tellez]...
Union membership in Illinois hits record low
Union membership in Illinois hits record low
Public and private sector unions in Illinois saw another 27,000 workers reject union membership in 2023. Just 12.8% of public and private-sector workers chose union membership, the lowest it’s been in 34 years on record.
By Mailee Smith
More than 2-in-5 Chicago low-income students chronically absent
More than 2-in-5 Chicago low-income students chronically absent
Chronic absenteeism rates are higher in Chicago than statewide, with 44% of low-income Chicago students missing at least 10% of their days in school.
By Hannah Schmid
4 Illinois schools closing without Invest in Kids scholarships, others at risk
4 Illinois schools closing without Invest in Kids scholarships, others at risk
With Invest in Kids scholarships expiring, four schools across Illinois already decided to close their doors for good. Futures for nearly 10,000 low-income students remain uncertain.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for 3rd-worst in U.S.
Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for 3rd-worst in U.S.
Illinois’ unemployment rate tied for third-worst in the U.S. in December 2023, despite job gains across most industries since last year. Illinois continues to lag the nation and nearly all its neighbors in job growth.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Township supervisor gets $224K, but salary drops to $25K if voters pick someone else
Township supervisor gets $224K, but salary drops to $25K if voters pick someone else
An embattled Chicago-area township supervisor is being accused of discouraging competition ahead of her campaign by cutting the position’s pay if she loses. It may be illegal, but someone would need to sue.
By Jess Plowman
Chicago considers natural gas ban that could 2X heating costs
Chicago considers natural gas ban that could 2X heating costs
The Chicago City Council is considering an ordinance to effectively ban natural gas in most new buildings, including gas stoves. Energy providers warn the policy could double heating costs for Chicago homes.
By Patrick Andriesen
18 states embrace school choice as Illinois hurts low-income families
18 states embrace school choice as Illinois hurts low-income families
Seven states enacted new private school choice programs in 2023 and 11 states expanded existing programs. But Illinois killed its Invest in Kids tax-credit scholarship program, ending the only help for nearly 10,000 low-income students.
By Hannah Schmid
Chicago hits record high car thefts, record low arrests in 2023
Chicago hits record high car thefts, record low arrests in 2023
Chicago drivers reported more car thefts in 2023 than in any year since the city started tracking them. Arrest rates hit their lowest level of the period.
By Patrick Andriesen