June cannabis sales highest of year, 3rd highest ever for Illinois
June cannabis sales highest of year, 3rd highest ever for Illinois
Illinois dispensaries sold $136 million in marijuana during June, the highest of the year and third-best month ever for cannabis sales.
By Dylan Sharkey
Over 4 of 5 Illinois lawmakers get money from teachers unions
Over 4 of 5 Illinois lawmakers get money from teachers unions
Since 2010, teachers unions have funneled nearly $20 million to current lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly, with the Chicago Teachers Union alone spending over $1.25 million.
By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko
One-third of Chicago Public Schools are less than half full
One-third of Chicago Public Schools are less than half full
Chicago Public Schools has a school utilization problem. Over 34% are less than half full, 57% are underutilized, and 5% are overcrowded. Just 35% are at ideal capacity. The Chicago Teachers Union is preventing solutions.
By Hannah Schmid
Lollapalooza ticket price up to $392 higher with Chicago tax
Lollapalooza ticket price up to $392 higher with Chicago tax
The typical concertgoer will pay an extra $35 for their general admission ticket to Lollapalooza, thanks to the city’s amusment tax. A platinum pass will cost visitors more than the price of a standard ticket in taxes alone.
By Patrick Andriesen
Vallas: Chicago Police overtime cost $126M, plus cost of burn-out
Vallas: Chicago Police overtime cost $126M, plus cost of burn-out
One way to “defund the police” is by not hiring officers – a strategy supported by many in Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s camp.
The problem is, failing to hire more officers is backfiring. It leads to higher costs, some of which are very hard to count but easy to see.
By Paul Vallas
Illinois’ unemployment rate for June is 5th-worst in U.S.
Illinois’ unemployment rate for June is 5th-worst in U.S.
Illinois added 8,400 jobs in June, but unemployment remained high compared to the rest of the nation. The state still hasn’t recovered the jobs it had before the pandemic.
By Justin Carlson
What to expect when cash bail ends in Illinois
What to expect when cash bail ends in Illinois
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled ending cash bail is constitutional. What does that mean for Illinois? It means ready or not, the system changes Sept. 18.
By Joe Tabor
Poll: 70% of Illinois voters support ending grocery tax permanently
Poll: 70% of Illinois voters support ending grocery tax permanently
Repealing the state grocery tax has support from 7 in 10 Illinois voters, according to an Illinois Policy Institute poll. Illinois is one of just 13 states with a grocery tax.
By Dylan Sharkey, Jon Josko
Illinois Federation of Teachers spends little on representing teachers, members flee
Illinois Federation of Teachers spends little on representing teachers, members flee
Just 26% of IFT’s spending in 2022 was on representing teachers. IFT’s questionable spending could be why nearly 16,500 Illinois public school employees have chosen to distance themselves from the union.
By Mailee Smith
NEA, IEA spend little on representing teachers, but prioritize politics
NEA, IEA spend little on representing teachers, but prioritize politics
Less than 8% of NEA and IEA’s spending in 2022 was on representing teachers, according to the unions’ federal reports. That could be why nearly 203,000 public school employees – including more than 6,000 in Illinois – have left NEA since 2017.
By Mailee Smith