Illinois Policy Institute
Recent News About Illinois Policy Institute
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Chicago City Council considers grocery tax and expanded granny flat regulations
The Chicago City Council is set to vote on two major issues: the possible adoption of a 1% grocery tax and an expansion of regulations for additional dwelling units, often referred to as "granny flats."
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Fmr. Chicago Public Schools CEO: Chicago leads 'the nation in school-age children shot'
Paul Vallas, former CEO of the Chicago Public Schools and author at the Illinois Policy Institute, said that Chicago officials are prioritizing disputes with federal immigration enforcement while overlooking rising child shootings in the city.
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Chicago Contrarian publishes Paul Vallas’s challenge to CTU’s stance on CPS students
Chicago Contrarian announced on X that it shared commentary from Paul Vallas, former Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO, arguing the Chicago Teachers Union’s (CTU) actions contradict its said commitment to protecting and educating CPS students.
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Illinois Policy Institute economic director: Thousands have been told their pension is guaranteed, ‘that very well might not be the case’
Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic analysis at the Illinois Policy Institute, expressed concerns about Illinois' pension system on the Prairie State Wire Podcast.
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Chicago Public Schools faces major budget vote amid deficit and union contract costs
Chicago Public Schools is preparing to vote on its 2026 budget as it faces a $734 million shortfall.
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Chicago sees steep decline in active business licenses over past decade
Chicago has seen a significant decline in the number of active business licenses over the past decade, according to new data.
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Illinois sees slow rate of new business openings despite high application numbers
Despite a high number of business applications filed in Illinois compared to other Midwestern states, only 5.6% of those applicants opened businesses and became operational within 12 months in 2024.
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President of League of American Workers: Obama Presidential Center 'was reflective of the hypocrisy of Barack'
Steve Cortes, president of the League of American Workers, has expressed criticism of the Obama Presidential Center, describing it as a symbol of self-glorification that is disconnected from the challenges faced by local communities.
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Former Chicago Public Schools CEO: Gov. Pritzker 'can't bail out Chicago'
Paul Vallas, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools (CPS), said that the city's request for $1.6 billion in school funding is unrelated to student performance.
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Pritzker’s approval rating turns negative amid rising taxes and budget growth
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s approval rating has turned negative for the first time since he took office, according to a new Lincoln Poll conducted by M3 Strategies for the Illinois Policy Institute.
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Chicago City Council considers changes to granny flats and parking regulations
Illinois Policy experts are available in Chicago to comment on the upcoming city council meeting.
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Former Chicago Public Schools CEO on teachers union: 'Youth safety is not a CTU priority'
Paul Vallas, former Chief Executive Officer of Chicago Public Schools, has expressed criticism towards the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), accusing it of prioritizing politics over student safety.
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Founder of Chicago Contrarian: Most of Chicago's education crisis 'is due to the Chicago Teachers Union'
Florian Sohnke, founder of the Chicago Contrarian, said that Chicago's public education failures are linked to union influence, citing numerous schools with no basic proficiency.
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Illinois sees new laws impacting gas taxes and minimum wage
In Illinois, several new laws are set to take effect on July 1, impacting gas taxes and minimum wage rates in Chicago.
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President of Northside Republicans: 'Illinois residents will continue to bear the cost of misplaced priorities'
Brian Kasal, President of Northside Republicans, said that Illinois Democrats should be held accountable for prioritizing billions in migrant spending over essential services for residents.
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Illinois urged to adopt ethics reforms following Madigan's sentencing
Illinois has a long-standing history of corruption, and the recent sentencing of Mike Madigan to 7.5 years in prison for federal corruption charges has brought renewed attention to the issue.
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Chicago's speed camera revenue impacts low-income drivers most
In 2024, Chicago's speed cameras issued $90.9 million in tickets, disproportionately affecting lower-income and minority families.
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Illinois urged to boost funding for vocational training over traditional colleges
The Center for Poverty Solutions at the Illinois Policy Institute has released a report indicating that Illinois allocates significantly more funding to traditional higher education than to apprenticeship and workforce training programs.
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Chicago Teachers Union faces challenges after heavy spending on unsuccessful candidates
The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has been under scrutiny following its recent election, with Illinois Policy Institute experts ready to provide commentary on the matter.
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Chicago homeowners contribute over half their property tax bill to public schools
In Chicago, a significant portion of property taxes paid by homeowners is allocated to the city's public schools.