Pritzker administration failed to report unemployment fraud data
Pritzker administration failed to report unemployment fraud data
A U.S. Department of Labor report stated Illinois failed to report theft of pandemic relief money as required. Illinois lost over half of pandemic unemployment funds to fraud.
By Dylan Sharkey
First-year Illinois housing costs up more than $12,717 since 2019
First-year Illinois housing costs up more than $12,717 since 2019
Rising prices and mortgage rates are making housing unaffordable for a growing number of Illinoisans. A property tax increase on the Nov. 8 ballot could make it worse.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois retiree: Amendment 1 could cost me my home
Illinois retiree: Amendment 1 could cost me my home
Voters decide Nov. 8 whether to pass Amendment 1 – a hidden tax hike that could cost Illinois taxpayers, including fixed-income retirees, their homes and put homeownership farther out of reach for young families.
Lightfoot’s $42.7M property tax hike goes just to pensions
Lightfoot’s $42.7M property tax hike goes just to pensions
Chicago property tax bills are on the rise again, thanks to the city’s massive pension debt. Mayor Lori Lightfoot compared the latest property tax hike to additional toppings at lunch.
By Dylan Sharkey
Lawmakers should let Illinoisans vote on tax hikes
Lawmakers should let Illinoisans vote on tax hikes
Amendment 1 has many more negatives than voters will ever realize, but one of those is a $2,100 property tax hike. Illinoisans should vote on all taxing and spending hikes, not just those presented to them as vague constitutional amendments.
By Joe Tabor
Fact check: Unions backing Amendment 1 killed bill to help nurses
Fact check: Unions backing Amendment 1 killed bill to help nurses
A new ad falsely claims Amendment 1 will protect nurses’ rights at private children’s hospitals. The same government unions who paid for the ad ended legislation that truly would have helped nurses.
By Dylan Sharkey
How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois
How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois
Illinois can draw from other states’ experiences to solve its own gerrymandering problem. One solid solution is as close as Michigan.
By Joe Tabor, Aimee Morrissey
‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ website ignores tax hike
‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ website ignores tax hike
The government union-backed website claims Amendment 1 would put more money in the pockets of working Illinoisans, but the change could only benefit the 7% who are government employees. All families would pay $2,149 more in property taxes.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago Teachers Union fights to weaken Chicago charter schools
Chicago Teachers Union fights to weaken Chicago charter schools
Many Chicago charter school bargaining agreements are expiring this summer, and the Chicago Teachers Union is positioning itself to grow its power by diminishing charter schools as an alternative for parents and students.
By Hannah Schmid
Fact check: Pritzker didn’t lower gas tax or eliminate grocery tax
Fact check: Pritzker didn’t lower gas tax or eliminate grocery tax
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s re-election ad praises him for fictional tax relief, hinting he repealed the grocery tax and lowered the gas tax. Neither is true.
By Dylan Sharkey
Fact check: No other state constitution has a provision similar to Amendment 1
Fact check: No other state constitution has a provision similar to Amendment 1
Proponents of Amendment 1 claim other state constitutions include similar language, but that is just wrong. Amendment 1 would cement into the Illinois Constitution government union powers that no other state sees as smart.
By Mailee Smith