Illinois’ comeback story starts here.

Illinois ranks as worst state for low-income earners

Illinois ranks as worst state for low-income earners

A WalletHub study found low-income Illinoisans pay 14% of their annual salary to sales, property and incomes taxes – more than anywhere else in the nation. The state’s middle- and high-income earners weren’t much better off.

By Patrick Andriesen

The Policy Shop: The Chicago Teachers Union’s affinity for failure

The Policy Shop: The Chicago Teachers Union’s affinity for failure

This edition of The Policy Shop is by policy analyst Hannah Schmid. “We pigs are brainworkers. The whole management and organisation of this farm depend on us. Day and night we are watching over your welfare. It is for your sake that we drink the milk and eat those apples.” – George Orwell, “Animal Farm” If...

Chicago Teachers Union pushing school model where kids perform poorly

Chicago Teachers Union pushing school model where kids perform poorly

Chicago Teachers Union leadership will use this summer’s contract negotiations with Chicago Public Schools to push for expansion of “sustainable community schools” in the district. The model doesn’t work: students perform worse, absenteeism rises.

By Hannah Schmid

Tio Hardiman

Tio Hardiman

“I grew up around gun violence on the South Side of Chicago between the projects of Avalon Park and the Henry Horner Homes. I saw all these young brothers losing their lives in situations that could have easily been avoided or mediated.” “I started organizing about 20 years ago because I got tired of seeing...

Where are you most likely to get shot in Chicago?

Where are you most likely to get shot in Chicago?

Nearly 1 of every 900 Chicagoans was shot last year, and 1 in 5,000 killed by gunshot. Where was the greatest risk? The Austin neighborhood reported the most fatal shootings as well as the most shootings overall, with 1 shooting for every 414 residents

By Patrick Andriesen