Illinois is No. 1 in government units, keeping property taxes sky high
Illinois is No. 1 in government units, keeping property taxes sky high
Illinois has 6,032 local governments, the most in the nation by a wide margin – and that excludes 859 school districts. It’s the main reason Illinoisans pay the nation’s second-highest property taxes.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois’ Census revisions, explained
Illinois’ Census revisions, explained
Some Illinois politicians are using an estimate to revise the Census count and claim Illinois doesn't have a problem with its residents moving away. A closer look shows they are wrong, and the danger of denial.
By Bryce Hill
Primary voting begins in Illinois: Here are how-tos, FAQs
Primary voting begins in Illinois: Here are how-tos, FAQs
May 19 was the start of voting for the June 28 primary for early in-person voting and for those who’ve requested mail-in ballots.
By Dylan Sharkey
How Chicago Teachers Union sold $50M high-rise, hid cash from oversight
How Chicago Teachers Union sold $50M high-rise, hid cash from oversight
Chicago Teachers Union leaders made nearly $50 million selling property paid for with union member dues, only to shuffle the proceeds to a charity with less oversight. Members are voting May 20 for transparency from new leaders.
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois voters got just 1 proposed constitutional amendment on ballot in 52 years
Illinois voters got just 1 proposed constitutional amendment on ballot in 52 years
During the past decade, state lawmakers have asked to change the Illinois Constitution six times while voters have failed to get any changes on the ballot. In 52 years, Illinoisans have only gotten one amendment question before voters. That needs to change.
By Joe Tabor
Amendment 1 will make bad Illinois business climate worse
Amendment 1 will make bad Illinois business climate worse
A Rockford family and their trucking business are being driven out of Illinois by high taxes and bad public policies. If voters agree Nov. 8 to enshrining public union power in the Illinois Constitution, expect more businesses and workers to leave.
Chicago Teachers Union election May 20 could affect frequency of strikes
Chicago Teachers Union election May 20 could affect frequency of strikes
CTU has walked out on students three times in three school years. The outcome of its upcoming leadership election pits the status quo against potential change – and could alter the political trajectory of the nation’s most militant teachers union.
By Mailee Smith
Amendment 1 would allow secret government union contracts
Amendment 1 would allow secret government union contracts
The Illinois Freedom of Information Act requires open access to government union contracts. But Amendment 1 would allow union leaders to override state law to make those contracts secret.
By Hannah Schmid
Fact check: Pritzker budget takes from college students, gives to pensions
Fact check: Pritzker budget takes from college students, gives to pensions
Gov. J.B Pritzker has touted his record on higher education funding, even hinting many students should be given free tuition, but pensions are driving up tuition and eating state university funding. Pritzker refuses to tame that beast.
By Dylan Sharkey
Want to fix Illinois’ voter suppression? Then give voters choices.
Want to fix Illinois’ voter suppression? Then give voters choices.
Voter suppression is an art in Illinois, where decades of rules to give incumbents or favored-party candidates an easy ride to reelection deny voters choices in about half of Illinois House races. Illinois Policy is trying to change that by increasing the choices that bring out voters.
By Brad Weisenstein