Nearly 70% of Chicago voters unhappy with mayor’s job on migrant crisis
Nearly 70% of Chicago voters unhappy with mayor’s job on migrant crisis
Chicago voters disapproved of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s handling of every issue, but nearly 70% found fault with his handling of the migrant crisis, a new poll showed. Crime and housing disapproval were not far behind.
By Dylan Sharkey
2-in-5 Illinois low-income students chronically absent
2-in-5 Illinois low-income students chronically absent
Chronic absenteeism rates among Illinois public school students increased after the pandemic-era school closures. Rates are even higher among low-income students, limiting their futures.
By Hannah Schmid
Vallas: Money-hungry CTU forces a fiscal, student achievement crisis
Vallas: Money-hungry CTU forces a fiscal, student achievement crisis
The Chicago Teachers Union’s answer is always “more money.” But the question is why Chicago’s students are doing so poorly when there’s more money than ever to teach fewer of them.
By Paul Vallas
Illinois corporate income tax rate hits No. 2 in U.S.
Illinois corporate income tax rate hits No. 2 in U.S.
Illinois businesses pay the nation’s second-highest corporate income tax rates. Chicago is considering taxing them more.
By Bryce Hill
Merging downstate police, fire pensions helps but Illinois needs pension reform
Merging downstate police, fire pensions helps but Illinois needs pension reform
The Illinois Supreme Court voted to uphold a law consolidating 649 municipal police and firefighter pension funds. It may help the state’s pension woes, but amending the Illinois Constitution is needed for real solutions.
By Bryce Hill
5 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, most add jobs in December
5 Illinois metro areas await pandemic recovery, most add jobs in December
Seven of 13 Illinois metro areas added jobs from November to December 2023, led by the St. Louis area. Five metros still reported fewer jobs than prior to the pandemic.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Vallas: Ousting Chicago police from schools could boost violence
Vallas: Ousting Chicago police from schools could boost violence
The Chicago Board of Education is limiting students’ education options and now is putting their safety at greater risk. Bowing to the Chicago Teachers Union’s ‘defund the police’ ideology can expose students to more violence.
By Paul Vallas
Ron Kooyman
Ron Kooyman
“I’ve been in Chicago 30 years. I came to Chicago to do inner-city youth and children’s ministry. I was 36 years old then, and violence has gotten much worse since then. That’s horrendous for somebody to be killed by a couple of criminals in his own yard while putting [Christmas] lights on his house.” “Jose [Tellez]...
Union membership in Illinois hits record low
Union membership in Illinois hits record low
Public and private sector unions in Illinois saw another 27,000 workers reject union membership in 2023. Just 12.8% of public and private-sector workers chose union membership, the lowest it’s been in 34 years on record.
By Mailee Smith