Jim Murphy
Jim Murphy
“Illinois is the only state to lose a school choice program rather than expand one. If we can turn that around at the federal level, it would be a huge win for students in the state."
Survey: Illinoisans to pay over 10% of incomes to state, local taxes in 2025
Survey: Illinoisans to pay over 10% of incomes to state, local taxes in 2025
Illinois will impose the nation’s seventh-highest state and local tax burden on residents in 2025. Taxpayers on average will pay over 10% of their annual income to support government, according to WalletHub.
Illinois governors abuse budget projections, leaving taxpayers damaged
Illinois governors abuse budget projections, leaving taxpayers damaged
Illinois lawmakers can’t budget responsibly if they don’t know how much they have. Governors have a history of fudging the numbers to get what they want.
Spring time in Brandon’s Chicago
Spring time in Brandon’s Chicago
Chicago’s latest housing ordinance will make affordability worse
Chicago’s latest housing ordinance will make affordability worse
By imposing costly delays, intrusive financial disclosures and pushing up demolition fees, the Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance will drive rents even higher and hurt the residents it aims to help.
Illinois tipping bill could cut earnings for restaurants, servers
Illinois tipping bill could cut earnings for restaurants, servers
State politicians might eliminate the tipped minimum wage, putting tipped workers on the $15 per hour wage. But with higher wages come higher costs for businesses, which could raise prices or cut jobs.
Literacy epidemic hits Illinois as fewer than 1 in 3 students read well
Literacy epidemic hits Illinois as fewer than 1 in 3 students read well
Student literacy is in trouble nationally. Illinois is one of 41 states where just 1 in 3 or fewer of its fourth-graders met reading standards in 2024.
Despite slight decline, nearly 2M Illinoisans still receive food help
Despite slight decline, nearly 2M Illinoisans still receive food help
Illinois enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program decreased slightly in December, but over 1.9 million residents still received benefits.
Property taxes: Through the roof
Property taxes: Through the roof
Cook County property tax bills up 78% as values rise 7%
Cook County property tax bills up 78% as values rise 7%
Typical property tax bill increased 78% on a Cook County residence since 2007. Median property values only rose 7.3%. That leaves residents paying $2,558 more a year in property taxes while their biggest investment fails to keep up with inflation.
Medicaid enrollment, spending soar in Illinois as Congress weighs cuts
Medicaid enrollment, spending soar in Illinois as Congress weighs cuts
Expansions to Medicaid because of the Affordable Care Act and COVID-19 have increased the program in Illinois as Congress considers potential cuts or work requirements.
Chicago is only big city where mayor gets to fill city council vacancies
Chicago is only big city where mayor gets to fill city council vacancies
Of the 15 largest cities, only Chicago lets its mayor fill vacancies on the city council. Mayor Brandon Johnson is about to exercise that long Chicago tradition by filling a vacancy he created.
Chicago aggravated batteries hit 5-year high; 3 in 5 victims are Black
Chicago aggravated batteries hit 5-year high; 3 in 5 victims are Black
Chicagoans reported the highest number of aggravated batteries through February in the past five years, with Black residents accounting for 3 in 5 victims.
A city charter could bring order to Chicago’s dysfunction. How can it get one?
A city charter could bring order to Chicago’s dysfunction. How can it get one?
A city charter would put much-needed guardrails on the Chicago government. Here’s what needs to happen to get one.