Melanie Drews
Melanie Drews
“There are a lot of kids that thrive because they're helped out by these scholarships. Like for our family, my husband went through cancer twice and so it affects what jobs he can or can't do."
The Policy Shop: Chicago’s accelerating wealth flight
The Policy Shop: Chicago’s accelerating wealth flight
This edition of The Policy Shop is by policy advisor Paul Vallas. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s promises are colliding with his problems, which will be on full display today when he delivers his budget address to the City Council. There’s a $538 million projected deficit. There are over 17,000 migrants expected to cost the city...
Shaka Rawls
Shaka Rawls
“The power of these scholarships can’t be summarized in rhetoric or legislation. The power and potential reside with the young people.”
Chicago Teachers Union membership drops under Stacy Davis Gates’ leadership
Chicago Teachers Union membership drops under Stacy Davis Gates’ leadership
Nearly 500 education employees have stopped affiliating with CTU in the past year. But the number of members leaving the union could be even larger than currently reported.
Chicago eliminates subminimum wage for tipped workers
Chicago eliminates subminimum wage for tipped workers
Tipped workers in Chicago will be phased into the city’s $15.80 minimum wage. Proponents said higher wages will help staffing shortages, but opponents said it will lead to higher costs, fewer jobs and maybe backfire for tipped workers’ pay.
Brandon Johnson: Bad tipper
Brandon Johnson: Bad tipper
Chicago Teachers Union runs first reported deficit under Stacy Davis Gates
Chicago Teachers Union runs first reported deficit under Stacy Davis Gates
For the first time since the Chicago Teachers Union started filing federal reports, the union reported spending more money than it took in for its 2023 fiscal year. It underscores members’ concerns about union leaders for years failing to provide required audits.
Union bosses boost their kids’ dreams as they kill arts students’ hopes
Union bosses boost their kids’ dreams as they kill arts students’ hopes
The Chicago Teachers Union and the Illinois Education Association have leaders sending their children to private schools for brighter futures. So why are they working to end the hopes of two performing arts students and their 9,600 low-income peers?
Chicago Public Schools enrollment rises slightly after 11 years of decline
Chicago Public Schools enrollment rises slightly after 11 years of decline
Chicago Public Schools reported its first uptick in enrollment after 11 years of decline. Thousands of new English learners contributed to the rise. Low-income and Black student enrollment declined.
Heide Renteria
Heide Renteria
“We have to look beyond ourselves and recognize that a program like this helps to give the younger generation an opportunity to be successful in their careers and their education so they can come back and be leaders in the community.”
The Policy Shop: How bad public education keeps people poor
The Policy Shop: How bad public education keeps people poor
This edition of The Policy Shop is by policy analyst Hannah Schmid. Third grade is a critical point in a child’s education. Their futures are often locked in by their ability to read at the end of that year. The chances of graduating high school can be predicted at that point. Their future earnings as adults may...
1 in 6 Chicago third graders can read at level, signaling dismal futures
1 in 6 Chicago third graders can read at level, signaling dismal futures
Few Chicago third-grade students can read at grade level. Even fewer low income and minority students are at grade level in reading. Research shows this is a warning sign for Chicago students’ academic success and subsequent earning potential.
Chicago Teachers Union political spending up nearly 3X under Stacy Davis Gates
Chicago Teachers Union political spending up nearly 3X under Stacy Davis Gates
The Chicago Teachers Union’s latest filing with the U.S. Department of Labor confirms the union is pouring more money than ever into politics.
Chicago starts taxing ChatGPT, artificial intelligence
Chicago starts taxing ChatGPT, artificial intelligence
Chicago levies a 9% tax on leased computer software, which the city now claims includes artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT.