Illinois’ incredible, shrinking business establishments
Illinois’ incredible, shrinking business establishments
From the first quarter of 2001 until the second quarter of 2015, business establishment growth has been 34 percent while jobs growth has been only 1 percent.
By Michael Lucci
Gov. Bruce Rauner: Illinois can save $500M on purchases
Gov. Bruce Rauner: Illinois can save $500M on purchases
Streamlining the way Illinois buys goods and services could save the state $500 million annually.
By Mark Fitton
Chicago aldermen look to kneecap oversight in City Council vote
Chicago aldermen look to kneecap oversight in City Council vote
Aldermen say they want oversight, but they don’t want anyone to be able to audit them. What do they have to hide?
By Austin Berg
Daniel McClure
Daniel McClure
“I’m 96 years old. Would you believe it? “This will tell you how old I am: I was one of the first black machinists in Chicago … I mopped floors at a canning company, and the owner’s son was a really nice guy. He taught me how to use a drill press in secret. No...
Springfield couldn’t bail out Chicago Public Schools even if it wanted to
Springfield couldn’t bail out Chicago Public Schools even if it wanted to
State-run teacher pensions have a shortfall of $37,000 per student, while Chicago's shortfall totals $24,000.
By Ted Dabrowski
Chicago teachers highest paid among nation’s 50 largest school districts
Chicago teachers highest paid among nation’s 50 largest school districts
Among the U.S.’ 50 largest school districts, CPS teachers’ pay ranks No. 1 for teachers with a bachelor’s degree and five years’ experience, No. 2 for first-year teachers with a bachelor’s degree, and No. 3 for first-year teachers with a master’s degree.
By Amy Korte
Illinois EPA has stopped mailing vehicle emissions test notices
Illinois EPA has stopped mailing vehicle emissions test notices
Budget gridlock in Springfield has caused the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to stop mailing notices of vehicle-emissions-test requirements to vehicle owners.
By Amy Korte
Special Service Areas: Chicago’s little-known taxing bodies
Special Service Areas: Chicago’s little-known taxing bodies
Special Service Areas levy taxes on Chicagoans over and above the already steep taxes and fees imposed by the city.
By Chris Lentino
Reform commission targets occupational licensing
Reform commission targets occupational licensing
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s criminal-justice reform commission urges removing overbroad occupational licensing restrictions that bar ex-offenders from pursuing work in over 118 professions.
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Chicago cops retire to dodge punishment, collect 6-figure pensions
Chicago cops retire to dodge punishment, collect 6-figure pensions
Since Chicago officials received a city watchdog investigation recommending six officers be disciplined for their roles surrounding the killing of David Koschman by a nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, three have retired.
By Austin Berg
Chicago Public Schools sells $725M in bonds with 8.5% interest rate
Chicago Public Schools sells $725M in bonds with 8.5% interest rate
The district’s borrowing does take pressure off of the district’s immediate cash-flow problem. However, it does nothing to solve the CPS’ long-term financial crisis and its structural imbalances – in fact it only makes things worse.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner