Cook County property taxes up $909 million
Cook County property taxes up $909 million
Cook County property taxes rose by $909 million. Property owners should expect bills in the mail after Nov. 1, which are due Dec. 1
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...
Illinois student proficiency up in 2023, but two-thirds still read below grade level
Illinois student proficiency up in 2023, but two-thirds still read below grade level
Illinois state education administrators celebrated academic progress in 2023, but student achievement is still behind where it was before COVID-19 hit. Chronic absenteeism remained high. Enrollment dropped again.
Pritzker: Invest in Kids needs a lifeguard
Pritzker: Invest in Kids needs a lifeguard
Want to eradicate Chicago poverty? Create more full-time jobs
Want to eradicate Chicago poverty? Create more full-time jobs
Data shows full-time, year-round employment virtually guarantees Chicagoans will live above the poverty line.
Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union’s new attack on charter schools
Vallas: Chicago Teachers Union’s new attack on charter schools
Chicago Public Schools’ decision to significantly shorten the number of years charter schools are allowed to operate before their charters are up for renewal is the latest Chicago Teachers Union effort to destroy public school choice.
5 problems with report implying Illinois is growing. Problem No. 1: it’s not
5 problems with report implying Illinois is growing. Problem No. 1: it’s not
Authors left out key data that contradicted their findings to claim Illinois’ population is growing. Evidence Illinois is shrinking comes independently from the IRS, U.S. Census Bureau, Illinois Department of Revenue and multiple moving companies.
Democratic state lawmakers file bill extending school choice
Democratic state lawmakers file bill extending school choice
Chicago state Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar filed a bill that would extend Invest in Kids scholarships through 2028 but would cut total tax credits by one-third and therefore the number of scholarships. Another bill would make the program permanent.
Students at Illinois capitol to demand last-minute scholarship rescue
Students at Illinois capitol to demand last-minute scholarship rescue
Hundreds of students and school choice advocates were at the Illinois House chambers to let state representatives know they expect them to save the Invest in Kids Act for low-income students.
The Policy Shop: Why 911 doesn’t respond in Chicago
The Policy Shop: Why 911 doesn’t respond in Chicago
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has a lot of plans to change the social order, but what he doesn’t have is a plan for how to stanch the city’s literal or figurative bleeding. Without law and order, people and businesses will continue to flee: 32,990 people in 2022, plus major businesses over crime and taxes. Chicago’s...
Illinois city outlaws trick-or-treating beyond age 12
Illinois city outlaws trick-or-treating beyond age 12
Some Illinois communities see regulating any mischief on Halloween as a real treat. Belleville prohibits anyone older than 12 from trick-or-treating, with fines up to $1,000.
Students filling Statehouse to save Illinois’ school choice program
Students filling Statehouse to save Illinois’ school choice program
The Illinois General Assembly was greeted back to Springfield by private school students pushing them to save the state scholarship program for low-income students. Thousands more are expected Oct. 25.
Vallas: What you should be asking about Chicago mayor’s budget
Vallas: What you should be asking about Chicago mayor’s budget
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered a budget that does little to improve the city or advance his many progressive initiatives. Here’s what it does, and what Chicagoans should be asking city leaders about what it could be.