Scandal recap: Stacy Davis Gates’ leadership of Chicago Teachers Union
Scandal recap: Stacy Davis Gates’ leadership of Chicago Teachers Union
Chicago Teachers Union members have reason to question the leadership of President Stacy Davis Gates heading into the May 16 union election. Her many scandals have driven down the union’s reputation.
By Hannah Schmid
Teacher pension ‘pickup’ costs boost burden on Illinois taxpayers
Teacher pension ‘pickup’ costs boost burden on Illinois taxpayers
Illinois teachers are required to contribute 9% of their salary toward pensions, but many school districts “pick up” this cost – putting the pension burden on taxpayers.
By LyLena Estabine
SEIU Illinois spends just 3% of members’ money representing workers
SEIU Illinois spends just 3% of members’ money representing workers
The Illinois state affiliate of the Service Employees International Union collected over $3 million in dues from members in 2024. It spent just $57,000 of that representing them. Politics and overhead were the union’s priorities.
By Mailee Smith
Lawmakers seek to strengthen student literacy through teacher training
Lawmakers seek to strengthen student literacy through teacher training
House Bill 1368 builds on previous literacy efforts by state lawmakers in 2023. If passed, professional development for literacy instruction would be aligned with “science of reading” strategies.
By Hannah Schmid
Corporate income taxes have stifled Illinois’ pandemic recovery
Corporate income taxes have stifled Illinois’ pandemic recovery
Illinois has the third-highest corporate income taxes in the nation. These are some of the most harmful taxes to economic growth, particularly in times of economic hardship.
By Ravi Mishra
Illinois food assistance dips in January, but still leads region
Illinois food assistance dips in January, but still leads region
Illinois had a slight decrease in food assistance recipients in January, yet the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation remains higher than it was a decade ago and ahead of neighboring states.
By Lauren Zuar
Illinois fixing shortage by changing foreign-trained doctor licensing
Illinois fixing shortage by changing foreign-trained doctor licensing
A new law took effect this year allowing foreign-trained physicians to apply for limited licenses on an accelerated path to permanently practice medicine in Illinois.
By Chris Coffey
Tariff troubles highlight Chicago’s precarious pension situation
Tariff troubles highlight Chicago’s precarious pension situation
Tariffs by President Donald Trump sent markets tumbling and temporarily hurt public pension investments. While the markets recovered, the episode showed Chicago’s pension systems are extremely fragile.
By LyLena Estabine
Chicago schools property taxes up 62% in 15 years
Chicago schools property taxes up 62% in 15 years
The median Chicago residence paid $2,059 in property taxes just to support Chicago Public Schools in 2024, 62% more than they paid 15 years ago. More than half of a Chicago homeowners’ property tax bill now goes to CPS.
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois House helping health care shortage by easing volunteer requirements
Illinois House helping health care shortage by easing volunteer requirements
A new bill would remove an unnecessary rule forcing health care volunteers to get additional licensing. House Bill 1270, sponsored by state Rep. William E. Hauter, R-Morton, and state Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton, D-Oakbrook Terrace, addresses medical worker shortages.
By Lauren Zuar
‘Homeschool Act’ is about limiting school choice
‘Homeschool Act’ is about limiting school choice
Teachers unions have given millions to the state lawmakers targeting homeschoolers in their most recent effort to stifle educational freedom in Illinois.
By Mailee Smith