Chicago pension sweetener would add $11.1 billion in liabilities
Chicago pension sweetener would add $11.1 billion in liabilities
State lawmakers boosted benefits for Chicago police and firefighters in the final days of the legislative session. Gov. J.B. Pritzker should reject this bill, or else it will add billions in debt to an already struggling city.
By LyLena Estabine
Illinois’ unemployment rank hits 12th in U.S.: best since pandemic
Illinois’ unemployment rank hits 12th in U.S.: best since pandemic
Illinois was No. 12 in the U.S. for its June unemployment rate. It’s not been ranked that low since before the pandemic. Still, the state trails the national average thanks to anemic private-sector growth.
By Jack Knorr
Vallas: Work-study changes futures of Chicago’s at-risk youth
Vallas: Work-study changes futures of Chicago’s at-risk youth
Summer jobs programs are not enough to keep Chicago’s youth out of trouble. To reach their potential, a year-round answer is needed. Paid apprenticeships or other work-study need to become part of public education.
By Paul Vallas
No. 2 no more: Illinois property taxes rank highest in U.S.
No. 2 no more: Illinois property taxes rank highest in U.S.
Illinois just ranked as having the highest property tax rate in the country. Property taxes in Illinois are an especially heavy burden without the tradeoff seen in states such as Texas or New Hampshire, where there are either no sales taxes or income taxes.
By Charlotte Rotkis
5 years later, Metra, CTA, Pace nowhere near pre-COVID levels
5 years later, Metra, CTA, Pace nowhere near pre-COVID levels
Ridership on Metra, the Chicago Transit Authority and Pace is still down 30% from pre-pandemic levels. The agency overseeing all three needs to look at spending before demanding $1.5 billion from taxpayers.
By Ravi Mishra, Dylan Sharkey, Charlotte Rotkis
Illinois Federation of Teachers likes trans restrooms; dislikes cops, charter schools
Illinois Federation of Teachers likes trans restrooms; dislikes cops, charter schools
The Illinois Federation of Teachers, the parent union of the Chicago Teachers Union, should be worried about the three Rs, but its main R is “radicalism.” Transgender restrooms, defunding the police and getting rid of charter schools top its radical agenda.
By Lilly Rossi
Chicago Teachers Union president fails to pay her bills… again
Chicago Teachers Union president fails to pay her bills… again
Despite Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates’ constant demands for “wealthy” taxpayers to pay their “fair share,” she is behind on her city water, sewer and trash bills once again. She makes $265,150 a year.
By Lilly Rossi
Oak Park natural gas ban faces legal challenge
Oak Park natural gas ban faces legal challenge
In 2024, Oak Park, Illinois, went where Mayor Brandon Johnson tried to take Chicago – banning all natural gas connections in new building projects. The high cost of this inconsequential, feel-good move is getting legal pushback.
By Jerry Barmore
Illinois 3X taxes on Juul, Elf Bar, ZYN products to fund more spending
Illinois 3X taxes on Juul, Elf Bar, ZYN products to fund more spending
In another short-term revenue move, Illinois lawmakers July 1 turned to vape and other nicotine product tax hikes to allow ever-more spending. Taxes on vape products went from 15% to 45% of the wholesale cost.
By Ravi Mishra
Nearly 2M Illinoisans still need federal food benefits, most in Chicago
Nearly 2M Illinoisans still need federal food benefits, most in Chicago
Although enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program declined marginally in April, nearly 2 million Illinoisans still depend on the federal food aid. Illinois’ food insecurity has yet to recover from the pandemic.
By Sachi Gaonkar
Chicago aldermanic control issue again stalls granny flats
Chicago aldermanic control issue again stalls granny flats
Residential permits across Chicago remained low in 2024, and efforts to increase housing on existing lots have been put off. Some of Chicago’s aldermen want to maintain power over their wards, including thwarting a popular housing solution.
By LyLena Estabine
Think Chicago Teachers Union stays in Chicago? Not according to its VP
Think Chicago Teachers Union stays in Chicago? Not according to its VP
Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Jackson Potter said CTU needs to be more involved in other school districts. That means 52 school districts negotiating teachers contracts this year are targets for CTU tactics and militancy.
By Lilly Rossi
7 ways Illinois lawmakers just made it easier to work
7 ways Illinois lawmakers just made it easier to work
The Illinois General Assembly passed seven bills that expand the ability of professionals to work in Illinois. Lawmakers need to keep going and reduce the number of government permission slips needed to earn a living.
By Rich Witzel
710k Illinoisans avoid work advancement to keep welfare benefits
710k Illinoisans avoid work advancement to keep welfare benefits
Welfare programs are structured poorly and punish people for working to climb out of poverty. An estimated 710,000 Illinoisans have intentionally hurt their own economic advancement to keep welfare benefits.
By Sachi Gaonkar