The four-step approach to escaping poverty
The four-step approach to escaping poverty
The relationship between family formation and prosperity is accepted across the political spectrum.
By Chris Coffey
Chicago’s affordable housing program rife with red tape
Chicago’s affordable housing program rife with red tape
Time-consuming steps in Chicago’s affordable housing program stops the city from seeing more housing.
By Perry Zhao
Illinois tied for third-worst unemployment rate in the U.S.
Illinois tied for third-worst unemployment rate in the U.S.
Illinois' employment growth lags the nation and neighboring states in May.
By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko
How public programs can penalize workers earning more
How public programs can penalize workers earning more
Families trying to escape poverty are sometimes worse off with greater incomes because of benefits cliffs hidden in public programs.
By Aayush Goodpaty
Former Ald. Ed Burke sentenced to 2 years for racketeering, bribery
Former Ald. Ed Burke sentenced to 2 years for racketeering, bribery
Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, once the longest-serving member of the city council, was sentenced to two years in prison and pay a $2 million fine.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois third in U.S. for average in-state tuition, pricing people out of college
Illinois third in U.S. for average in-state tuition, pricing people out of college
Illinois’ average in-state tuition to public universities is among the highest in the nation. Getting an education is crucial to escaping poverty, putting Illinoisans at a great disadvantage.
By Kurtis Karg, Dylan Sharkey
Illinois Policy Institute research cited in US Senate hearing on education
Illinois Policy Institute research cited in US Senate hearing on education
Illinois Policy Institute research was cited in a U.S Senate hearing on education spending to show more funding isn’t the solution for poor performance in public schools.
By Dylan Sharkey
Utah makes life easier for job seekers; Illinois can, too
Utah makes life easier for job seekers; Illinois can, too
Utah consolidated and integrated government job and social services into a one-stop shop. Illinois can follow that example and efficiently pull more people out of poverty and into the working world.
By Chris Coffey
Charter schools offer path to academic success for families in poverty
Charter schools offer path to academic success for families in poverty
A study found charter students in poverty had stronger growth in reading and math compared to their peers in traditional public schools, especially minority students in poverty. But the Chicago Teachers Union wants to limit families’ options to enroll their students in charter schools.
By Hannah Schmid
What does it take to get a building permit in Chicago?
What does it take to get a building permit in Chicago?
Chicago lags behind other cities in housing affordability. The city’s permitting process could be holding it back.
By Joe Tabor
Nearly 40% of Illinois government workers reject AFSCME membership
Nearly 40% of Illinois government workers reject AFSCME membership
The union’s federal reports show the union has suffered membership loss during the past two decades. It could be because the union’s spending priorities are completely misplaced.
By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko
Chicago Teachers Union killing charter school access for many families
Chicago Teachers Union killing charter school access for many families
The Chicago Teachers Union’s current contract limits the growth of charter schools in Chicago. The union’s new contract demands seek to further deny access and limit parents’ options for their children’s educations.
By Hannah Schmid