4 new occupational licensing laws remove barriers in Illinois
4 new occupational licensing laws remove barriers in Illinois
Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently OK’d four new laws that would expand the ability for professionals to practice in Illinois. While they are advancements, Illinois’ onerous occupational licensing system needs comprehensive reform.
By Joe Tabor
Chicago Teachers Union: Don’t tell parents their student’s pronouns
Chicago Teachers Union: Don’t tell parents their student’s pronouns
The Chicago Teachers Union’s leaders want teachers to keep parents in the dark if their child asks to go by a different name or pronouns in school. The school district is OK with that.
By Dylan Sharkey
2 new Illinois property taxes laws fail to offer taxpayers real relief
2 new Illinois property taxes laws fail to offer taxpayers real relief
Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently approved two laws intended to spur change in the way property taxes work in Illinois. They are old ideas that will provide more show than relief.
By Joe Tabor
Government red tape pushes up housing costs for Illinois families
Government red tape pushes up housing costs for Illinois families
Illinois lags other states on approvals for new housing. It has one of the lowest rates for housing approvals in the United States. That drives up costs.
By Ravi Mishra
1,190 Illinois jobs shed in July, with Deere leading for 2nd month
1,190 Illinois jobs shed in July, with Deere leading for 2nd month
The Quad Cities will experience a combined 319 job cuts after John Deere announced layoffs at both its World Headquarters in Moline and Harvester Works factory in East Moline. Romeoville saw more than 1-in-4 of the mass layoffs statewide.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Vallas: Biggest obstacle to improving city schools is Chicago Teachers Union
Vallas: Biggest obstacle to improving city schools is Chicago Teachers Union
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates decried standardized testing. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said schools should be measured by spending, not performance. ‘Accountability’ is not in their vocabulary.
By Paul Vallas
Illinois bans mini shampoo bottles in hotel rooms
Illinois bans mini shampoo bottles in hotel rooms
Tiny hotel toiletries will soon be outlawed in Illinois. A new law will make Illinois hotels ditch small plastic bottles for shampoo and other care products.
By Dylan Sharkey
EL CONCEJO MUNICIPAL DE CHICAGO CONSIDERA 16 NUEVOS AUMENTOS DE IMPUESTOS Y TASAS
EL CONCEJO MUNICIPAL DE CHICAGO CONSIDERA 16 NUEVOS AUMENTOS DE IMPUESTOS Y TASAS
El concejal de Chicago, Will Hall, del sexto distrito, ha propuesto 16 nuevos aumentos de impuestos y tarifas a sus colegas del concejo municipal a través de una encuesta.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stares down a $1 billion city budget deficit
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stares down a $1 billion city budget deficit
Updated budget forecasts show a $982 million shortfall for the upcoming 2025 budget as Chicago grapples with $223 million remaining deficit this year. Mayor Brandon Johnson refuses to rule out property tax hikes.
By Bryce Hill
No current teachers voted to make Chicago Teachers Union their union
No current teachers voted to make Chicago Teachers Union their union
Chicago teachers were handed a union without the ability to choose for themselves. It’s the result of a system that props up government unions at the expense of the members they are supposed to serve.
By Mailee Smith
Nearly 2M Illinoisans receive federal food assistance in May
Nearly 2M Illinoisans receive federal food assistance in May
Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or nearly 1-in-6 state residents – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in May 2024. Illinois ranked No. 9 in the nation for highest rate of federal food help.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Violence up 7.2%: robberies, aggravated assaults, batteries hit 5-year highs
Violence up 7.2%: robberies, aggravated assaults, batteries hit 5-year highs
Chicagoans experienced 7.2% more violent crime between August 2023 and July 204, with cases of robbery, aggravated assault and aggravated battery at five-year highs.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko