$6.6B gap in Illinois reserve funds is far from ‘fiscal responsibility’
$6.6B gap in Illinois reserve funds is far from ‘fiscal responsibility’
Illinois’ rainy-day fund is at an all-time high, but remains $6.6 billion less than recommended by state budget experts. Illinois state government can operate for fewer than 13 days on what it’s saved.
By Justin Carlson
Illinois 1 of 3 states banning you from using fireworks
Illinois 1 of 3 states banning you from using fireworks
Independence Day means residents of 47 states will celebrate their freedom by choosing to set off fireworks. Not in Illinois.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois again taxing your groceries starting July 1
Illinois again taxing your groceries starting July 1
Illinoisans will notice more expensive food July 1 when Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s election-year suspension of the grocery tax expires. Only Illinois and 12 other states will tax groceries then.
By Dylan Sharkey
5 years after Janus v. AFSCME, unions are smaller but more militant
5 years after Janus v. AFSCME, unions are smaller but more militant
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of Illinois state worker Mark Janus in 2018 gave government workers the ability to stop funding government union politics. Chastened unions could have reformed. Instead, they got extreme.
By Mailee Smith, Patrick Andriesen
Illinoisans get 2nd gas tax hike of 2023 just before Independence Day
Illinoisans get 2nd gas tax hike of 2023 just before Independence Day
Illinoisans face the second gas tax hike of 2023 on July 1. The 3.1 cent hike doesn’t need lawmaker approval, thanks to state leaders implementing automatic gas tax hikes.
By Dylan Sharkey
Vallas: The truth about the 2013 school closures the Chicago Teachers Union doesn’t want you to hear
Vallas: The truth about the 2013 school closures the Chicago Teachers Union doesn’t want you to hear
In 2013, Chicago closed 50 nearly empty schools. Since then, the CTU has barred charters and other schools from using these empty buildings to provide schooling options for local students. After railing against these school closures, CTU leadership locked students out of full-time, in-person learning for 17 months during 2020-21.
By Paul Vallas
Illinois high school students struggle, yet graduation rate hits 10-year high
Illinois high school students struggle, yet graduation rate hits 10-year high
Illinois celebrated its highest graduation rate in a decade. But high school student proficiency and average SAT scores are dropping as chronic absenteeism increases across the state.
By Hannah Schmid
Chicago cops demand parental leave after mayor gives it to teachers
Chicago cops demand parental leave after mayor gives it to teachers
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson handed parental leave to his former employers at the Chicago Teachers Union with no negotiation. Now the city’s police union wants it.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois unemployment 4th worst in U.S., job growth slows in May
Illinois unemployment 4th worst in U.S., job growth slows in May
While government jobs outpaced the overall growth for the month, manufacturing and construction took the biggest losses as the unemployment rate remains among the worst in the nation.
By Justin Carlson
Welch, Harmon get millions from teachers unions before blocking school choice for poor kids
Welch, Harmon get millions from teachers unions before blocking school choice for poor kids
It’s a simple choice for Illinois’ top legislative leaders this fall: listen to the over $1 million each got in campaign cash from teachers unions, or back the futures of 9,600 low-income students with a tax credit that is barely a blip in the $50 billion state budget.
By Mailee Smith