Editorial: Illinois public schools lose 127,000 students since pandemic
Editorial: Illinois public schools lose 127,000 students since pandemic
As public school enrollment continues to drop, Illinois faces the prospect of a smaller future workforce.
Report: How Illinois can give parents more choice within public school system
Report: How Illinois can give parents more choice within public school system
Illinois has limited charter school options or open enrollment policies. Lawmakers should expand public school choice options in Illinois to give families more control over their children’s education.
2024 NASCAR ticket price up to $270 higher thanks to Chicago tax
2024 NASCAR ticket price up to $270 higher thanks to Chicago tax
The typical racing fan will pay an extra $22 for general admission to Chicago’s NASCAR “Street Race Weekend” thanks to the city’s amusement tax. Luxury seating could cost residents more than the price of a standard ticket in taxes alone.
Chicago crime: Assaults up 6.7% past 12 months, more violent
Chicago crime: Assaults up 6.7% past 12 months, more violent
Assaults were up 6.7% for the 12 months ending in April as confrontations became more violent. Black Chicagoans were more than 5 times more likely to be assault victims than their white counterparts.
Chicago lags as 8 of 13 Illinois metro areas add jobs in April
Chicago lags as 8 of 13 Illinois metro areas add jobs in April
Illinois grew jobs in eight of its 13 metropolitan areas during April, but the Chicago area’s sluggish growth and a stubbornly high unemployment rate tempered any gains.
Vallas: It’s time for a Chicago nuisance ordinance
Vallas: It’s time for a Chicago nuisance ordinance
Whether college protest encampments or political convention agitators, Chicago needs a way to penalize the few who disrupt life for the rest of us. A nuisance ordinance would do that.
Chicago police officer’s murder underscores carjacking, car theft surge
Chicago police officer’s murder underscores carjacking, car theft surge
Chicagoans reported 2,619 fewer vehicle thefts during the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, but cases remain more than double what they were just a few years ago as arrests remain low. One carjacking took a police officer’s life.
Illinois Memorial Day drivers face 2nd-highest gas taxes in nation
Illinois Memorial Day drivers face 2nd-highest gas taxes in nation
AAA’s travel forecast estimates 43.8 million people will hit the road for Memorial Day weekend, nearly matching the 2005 record of 44 million people.
Illinois’ Black unemployment rate No. 2 in U.S.
Illinois’ Black unemployment rate No. 2 in U.S.
Black workers in Illinois face a tougher job market than peers nationally. Hispanic men, Asians face lower unemployment rates relative to peers in other states.
Illinois leaders who pushed pro-union amendment thwart their own staffers
Illinois leaders who pushed pro-union amendment thwart their own staffers
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch and Illinois Senate President Don Harmon are taking heat from staffers for killing legislation allowing the workers to unionize. Statehouse leaders are big on union rights, as long as it’s not in their offices.
A Very Illinois Democratic Family Portrait
A Very Illinois Democratic Family Portrait
The Policy Shop: The Illinoisans that Springfield is leaving behind
The Policy Shop: The Illinoisans that Springfield is leaving behind
This episode of The Policy Shop is by Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research Illinois’ unemployment rate for Black workers last year was No. 2 in the U.S. Black Illinoisans faced average unemployment rates of 9.6% in 2023, compared to 5.5% for Black workers nationwide. That means Black Illinoisans were 75% more likely...
Editorial: Illinois’ very slow COVID-19 recovery painted as a win by state leaders
Editorial: Illinois’ very slow COVID-19 recovery painted as a win by state leaders
State leaders issued a report touting Illinois’ abandonment of representational government in favor of executive fiat during the pandemic as effective. They failed to take responsibility for job recovery lagging the nation by a year and seeing public schools suffer.
Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd-worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate ties for 3rd-worst in the nation
Illinois’ unemployment rate for April was near the highest in the U.S. Its recovery lags the nation by nearly a full percentage point.