Lightfoot’s $42.7M property tax hike goes just to pensions
Lightfoot’s $42.7M property tax hike goes just to pensions
Chicago property tax bills are on the rise again, thanks to the city’s massive pension debt. Mayor Lori Lightfoot compared the latest property tax hike to additional toppings at lunch.
By Dylan Sharkey
Lawmakers should let Illinoisans vote on tax hikes
Lawmakers should let Illinoisans vote on tax hikes
Amendment 1 has many more negatives than voters will ever realize, but one of those is a $2,100 property tax hike. Illinoisans should vote on all taxing and spending hikes, not just those presented to them as vague constitutional amendments.
By Joe Tabor
Fact check: Unions backing Amendment 1 killed bill to help nurses
Fact check: Unions backing Amendment 1 killed bill to help nurses
A new ad falsely claims Amendment 1 will protect nurses’ rights at private children’s hospitals. The same government unions who paid for the ad ended legislation that truly would have helped nurses.
By Dylan Sharkey
How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois
How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois
Illinois can draw from other states’ experiences to solve its own gerrymandering problem. One solid solution is as close as Michigan.
By Joe Tabor, Aimee Morrissey
‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ website ignores tax hike
‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ website ignores tax hike
The government union-backed website claims Amendment 1 would put more money in the pockets of working Illinoisans, but the change could only benefit the 7% who are government employees. All families would pay $2,149 more in property taxes.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago Teachers Union fights to weaken Chicago charter schools
Chicago Teachers Union fights to weaken Chicago charter schools
Many Chicago charter school bargaining agreements are expiring this summer, and the Chicago Teachers Union is positioning itself to grow its power by diminishing charter schools as an alternative for parents and students.
By Hannah Schmid
Fact check: Pritzker didn’t lower gas tax or eliminate grocery tax
Fact check: Pritzker didn’t lower gas tax or eliminate grocery tax
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s re-election ad praises him for fictional tax relief, hinting he repealed the grocery tax and lowered the gas tax. Neither is true.
By Dylan Sharkey
Fact check: No other state constitution has a provision similar to Amendment 1
Fact check: No other state constitution has a provision similar to Amendment 1
Proponents of Amendment 1 claim other state constitutions include similar language, but that is just wrong. Amendment 1 would cement into the Illinois Constitution government union powers that no other state sees as smart.
By Mailee Smith
Misleading new ad claims Amendment 1 protects Illinois nurses
Misleading new ad claims Amendment 1 protects Illinois nurses
Despite proponents’ claims, Amendment 1 would give union rights only to state and local government workers. Yet a new ad by proponents implies it will help nurses in all sectors care for their patients.
By Mailee Smith
How to use Illinois’ new permanent vote-by-mail system
How to use Illinois’ new permanent vote-by-mail system
Now that Illinois voters can permanently register to vote by mail, here are some issues to consider about casting a ballot from the kitchen table rather than a polling place.
By Dylan Sharkey