Midwest states expand school choice while Illinois fights to save scholarships for low-income students
Midwest states expand school choice while Illinois fights to save scholarships for low-income students
Five Midwest states have enacted or expanded school choice programs since the Invest in Kids Act was enacted in 2017. Now Illinois’ scholarships are set to expire while other programs thrive.
By Hannah Schmid
Back to school in Chicago Public Schools
Back to school in Chicago Public Schools
Chicago Public Schools students return to class Aug. 21. Take a look at the state of district proficiency, building utilization, enrollment, student-teacher ratios, absenteeism and finances.
By Hannah Schmid
Brandon Johnson’s first 100 days
Brandon Johnson’s first 100 days
The city of Chicago faces a pension crisis, heightened crime and a failing public school system. New Mayor Brandon Johnson has taken no concrete steps to deal with any of it.
By Mailee Smith, Bryce Hill
Illinois teachers unions have threatened to strike 188 times since 2010
Illinois teachers unions have threatened to strike 188 times since 2010
Illinois public school students are at a severe disadvantage. Educational unions here can strike, keeping kids out of school, but that’s not the case in other big cities or neighboring states.
By Mailee Smith
Rena Garrett
Rena Garrett
“If it weren’t for the scholarship, he probably would have been home taught. Public school was just not an option for him.”
Vallas: Chicago has a new police chief, what’s his plan to fix the city’s crime problem?
Vallas: Chicago has a new police chief, what’s his plan to fix the city’s crime problem?
Larry Snelling, formerly the Chicago Police Department’s counterterrorism bureau chief, was selected Aug. 13 to become CPD’s next superintendent. Now, the city needs clarity on his plans to address Chicago’s crime problems.
By Paul Vallas
Illinois recovered pandemic-era job losses in July – a year later than the rest of the country
Illinois recovered pandemic-era job losses in July – a year later than the rest of the country
The state finally surpassed January 2020 job levels after 37 states had already done so, including all of Illinois’ neighbors except Michigan.
By Bryce Hill, Justin Carlson
Pritzker signs charter neutrality bill, Chicago Teachers Union fights to weaken charter schools
Pritzker signs charter neutrality bill, Chicago Teachers Union fights to weaken charter schools
Contracts at 35 Chicago charter schools represented by the Chicago Teachers Union are up for negotiations this year. CTU, with the help of Gov. J.B. Pritzker and House Bill 1120, is positioning itself to grow its power by diminishing charter schools as an alternative for parents and students.
By Hannah Schmid
Vallas: Youth crime is on the rise in Chicago – and CTU’s school closures may be to blame for the trend
Vallas: Youth crime is on the rise in Chicago – and CTU’s school closures may be to blame for the trend
Rising crime in Chicago is being driven by an increase in youth crime – as a result of
the Chicago Teachers Union’s policies and agenda, which undermine police and
public safety.
By Paul Vallas