Illinois Education Association puts union bosses’ agenda ahead of teachers’
Illinois Education Association puts union bosses’ agenda ahead of teachers’
Just 13% of IEA’s spending was on representing teachers in 2023. But the spending of its national affiliate – the National Education Association – was even worse, with less than 8% of its spending on representing teachers’ interests.
By Mailee Smith
Vallas: 10 things CTU doesn’t want voters to know about school board races
Vallas: 10 things CTU doesn’t want voters to know about school board races
With 10 Chicago Public Schools Board of Education seats on the Nov. 5 ballot up for grabs, the battle is on for the Chicago Teachers Union to take full control of the city and district.
By Paul Vallas
1 in 3 Chicago violent crimes is a robbery, up 21% in a year
1 in 3 Chicago violent crimes is a robbery, up 21% in a year
Chicagoans reported 7.6% more violent crime from July 2023 through June 2024.
Residents experienced a 21% increase in robberies during those 12 months, with robberies becoming one-third of all violent crimes.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Chicago Public Schools faces $500M deficit despite $10B budget
Chicago Public Schools faces $500M deficit despite $10B budget
Chicago Public Schools’ reliance on temporary federal pandemic funds has left the district grappling with deficits even before factoring in a new Chicago Teachers Union contract. $505M deficit + $10B in demands = taxpayer trouble
By Bryce Hill
The Policy Shop: 3-in-10 seats empty at Chicago Public Schools
The Policy Shop: 3-in-10 seats empty at Chicago Public Schools
Hundreds of Chicago Public Schools buildings have a space-use problem – they’re too empty. Nearly 60% of schools are underutilized while 5% are overcrowded. Only 37% are at ideal capacity. The Chicago Teachers Union wants to add staff to the empty schools.
By Hannah Schmid
Illinois unemployment jumps to 5% in June
Illinois unemployment jumps to 5% in June
Illinois unemployment rose to 5% during June, ranking third worst in the U.S. About 328,000 Illinoisans need a job.
By Ravi Mishra, Jon Josko
Did your state lawmaker take Chicago Teachers Union money?
Did your state lawmaker take Chicago Teachers Union money?
See how much campaign money your Illinois state representative and state senator received from the Chicago Teachers Union.
How’s my community? Measures of how your piece of Illinois is doing
How’s my community? Measures of how your piece of Illinois is doing
Here are data snapshots of Illinois communities, schools and government. See how well your tax dollars are performing in your city, county or school compared to others.
Downstate areas lag Chicago, Midwest in house building permits
Downstate areas lag Chicago, Midwest in house building permits
Out of 90 Midwestern metropolitan areas, Illinois has four in the bottom 10 for new housing per capita in 2023. Housing affordability is directly linked to getting units built.
By Joe Tabor
How many new businesses does your Illinois county have?
How many new businesses does your Illinois county have?
New business applications in Illinois are up 47% compared to pre-pandemic numbers in 2019, but what does growth in your county look like?
By Dylan Sharkey, Kurtis Karg
VIDEO: Why housing is so pricey in Illinois
VIDEO: Why housing is so pricey in Illinois
Government restrictions on zoning and land use are making Illinois housing and rents more expensive then they need to be.
By Jess Plowman
Planning a long Lollapalooza weekend? Expect ticket taxes of $91 to $1,001
Planning a long Lollapalooza weekend? Expect ticket taxes of $91 to $1,001
If you plan to be at Lollapalooza from Megan Thee Stallion to Blink-182, expect taxes to add $91 to the cost of general admission. Get a premium ticket and city, county and state sales and amusement taxes add $1,001 to the cost.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago’s affordable housing crisis can be fixed without tax hikes
Chicago’s affordable housing crisis can be fixed without tax hikes
Chicago housing affordability is among the lowest in the Midwest, driven primarily by restrictive land-use policies and slow approvals. Low-income families have it worse than in other large Midwestern cities.
By Ravi Mishra
Vallas: 10 things you should know about Chicago crime today
Vallas: 10 things you should know about Chicago crime today
Independence Day weekend was bloody in Chicago. City leaders are doing little other than pointing fingers. Here are 10 things Chicagoans should know about the current crime problem.
By Paul Vallas