Classrooms First Act could put millions into Illinois schools
Classrooms First Act could put millions into Illinois schools
A bill to cut Illinois’ redundant school district bureaucracy could offer over $300 per student for classroom instruction. No schools would close as Illinois strived to cut administration costs that are double the U.S. average.
By Dylan Sharkey
To fix Illinois’ pension crisis, first change its constitution
To fix Illinois’ pension crisis, first change its constitution
Illinois allocates more of its budget to pensions than any other state, but pension spending has only skyrocketed. A constitutional amendment is the only way to reform the state’s unsustainable and underfunded pension systems.
By Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker seeks end to hiring oversight as watchdog details more patronage
Pritzker seeks end to hiring oversight as watchdog details more patronage
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker argues his state agencies no longer need a federal minder to ensure hiring is not political. That federal watchdog has four recent examples of why state hiring still needs oversight.
By Dylan Sharkey
Toni Larocco
Toni Larocco
“I feel like the unions have no consequences. It seems that whenever they feel like something isn’t going their way, they walk out and leave our kids hanging. My fear is that this is going to continue happening as time goes on.”
Adrienne DeLeon
Adrienne DeLeon
“Every family has a different situation. Not all families are able to be serviced by the public schools."
Illinois child protection director gets 3rd contempt charge in 8 days
Illinois child protection director gets 3rd contempt charge in 8 days
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services director was held in contempt of court for allegedly violating the right to proper housing of a 17-year-old boy. It’s the director’s third contempt charge in eight days, highlighting DCFS’ struggle to place kids.
By Dylan Sharkey
How to expand success of Illinois’ tax credit scholarships
How to expand success of Illinois’ tax credit scholarships
The Invest in Kids scholarship tax credit program helps low-income families pay for private schools. Making the program permanent and expanding it would help more students attend schools that best fit their needs.
By Dylan Sharkey
High school parents sue to block Pritzker COVID-19 vax mandates
High school parents sue to block Pritzker COVID-19 vax mandates
Illinois parents of athletes sued to prevent school districts and state powers from mandating vaccinations for high school students. The lawsuit argues such an order would be arbitrary and violate students’ rights.
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021
Illinois 1 of 7 states to see residents move out faster in 2021
Illinoisans fled at a record pace in 2021. The state lost 122,460 residents on net because of moves to other states.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois considers local gas taxes atop doubled state gas tax
Illinois considers local gas taxes atop doubled state gas tax
Illinois has the second-highest gas taxes in the nation, but a new bill would let cities add a local gas tax on top of the state and federal taxes and fees. Illinois doubled its gasoline tax in 2019, part of $5.2 billion in new taxpayer costs since Gov. J.B. Pritzker took office.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago Teachers Union’s illegal strike is over, but parents sue to stop next one
Chicago Teachers Union’s illegal strike is over, but parents sue to stop next one
Parents of Chicago Public Schools students sued to end the “remote work action” by Chicago Teachers Union members that kept 340,000 students out of classrooms for five days. The walkout is over, but the lawsuit is continuing to prevent the next illegal strike.
By Patrick Andriesen
Amendment 1 would guarantee Illinois’ sky-high debt, taxes would rise faster
Amendment 1 would guarantee Illinois’ sky-high debt, taxes would rise faster
Unfair advantages for public sector unions are already driving Illinois’ massive debt and high taxes. Enshrining their power in the Illinois Constitution would make it worse and give voters less say about government costs.
By Justin Carlson