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
Illinois diaper tax costs families $120 per year
Illinois diaper tax costs families $120 per year
Illinois is one of the states that taxes diapers, costing a family about $120 a year. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and 32 other governors are being asked to dispose of their diaper taxes.
By Dylan Sharkey
AFSCME contract lets Illinois state workers miss 10 days without discipline
AFSCME contract lets Illinois state workers miss 10 days without discipline
AFSCME union members receive generous salaries and benefits from their state contract, yet union bosses are pushing to enshrine their power in the Illinois Constitution – something no other state has been willing to do.
Vermont is the latest state to reform pensions with union support
Vermont is the latest state to reform pensions with union support
Vermont and other blue states have recent pension reforms including reductions in cost of living adjustments. What makes Illinois different?
By Justin Carlson
Sarah Sachen
Sarah Sachen
“CTU wants to keep pushing and striking for demands not even related to education and I don't want the CTU to have any more power to do that. Learning should not be impeded or stopped for the union’s political games.”
Illinois marks 10th month of job gains, but still missing 1-in-5 jobs
Illinois marks 10th month of job gains, but still missing 1-in-5 jobs
Illinois is steadily adding jobs lost during the COVID-19 economic downturn, but despite 10 months of gains the state recovery lags the nation. Some metropolitan areas are far behind where they were.
By Bryce Hill
2022 Illinois elections to be the most competitive in over 24 years
2022 Illinois elections to be the most competitive in over 24 years
With 82 statehouse races expected to be contested – the most in at least 24 years – the number of ballots cast could reach 4.3 million. That would be the highest non-presidential year figure in recent history.
By Bryce Hill, Jon Josko
Pritzker has governed using emergency powers for more than 65% of his term
Pritzker has governed using emergency powers for more than 65% of his term
Illinois has no mask mandate or requirements for showing proof of COVID-19 vaccination. So why is Gov. J.B. Pritzker still declaring a state of emergency and holding onto those powers?
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois voter suppression rampant thanks to few ballot choices
Illinois voter suppression rampant thanks to few ballot choices
Progressive voices decry voter suppression in states such as Texas, but the very blue state of Illinois is guilty of rampant voter suppression using a system of maps and rules that defeat many challengers before they ever get on the ballot. A new effort is working to change that.
By Patrick Andriesen
Patricia Bonk
Patricia Bonk
“We must fix our state budget. Over 25% of the budget is pension payments, which is only going to get worse."
David Sheppard
David Sheppard
"I want to make sure the voices of the mental health community and those with illness are heard. In order to get access to the things that they need, they must be heard."