Illinois Policy Institute
Recent News About Illinois Policy Institute
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Illinois Policy Institute proposes solutions for state’s literacy challenges
The Illinois Policy Institute has proposed five steps to address the state's literacy challenges.
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Chicago faces rising crime rates on public transportation
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has experienced a significant increase in reported crimes, reaching the highest levels since the pandemic.
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Illinois sees population rise after nine years of decline
Illinois has reversed nine years of population decline, adding approximately 67,899 residents between July 2023 and June 2024.
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Chicago City Council approves $17B budget with new taxes and fees
The Chicago City Council has approved a $17 billion budget, which includes $181.6 million in new taxes and fees.
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Small businesses lead job growth in Illinois amidst challenging conditions
Illinois is witnessing a significant contribution from small businesses in job creation, as reported by the Illinois Policy Institute.
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Chicagoans reject CTU-backed majority in school board elections
With the majority of polling places reporting, early results from the Chicago School Board races suggest that candidates backed by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) have not secured a majority.
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Illinois votes favor millionaire tax; Barrington supports pension reform
With approximately 60% of the statewide votes counted, a significant majority of Illinois voters, 61.1%, have shown support for the non-binding "millionaire tax" question.
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Chicago holds first election for Board of Education amid declining school performance
Chicago is set to hold its first-ever election for the Board of Education overseeing Chicago Public Schools.
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Chicago faces budget deficit as Mayor Johnson prepares to unveil 2025 proposal
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is set to present his 2025 budget proposal as the city embarks on negotiations to finalize the budget by the end of the year.
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Illinois debates millionaire's tax amid concerns over potential retirement tax
Early voting has commenced in Illinois for the upcoming general election on November 5. A key item on the ballot is a non-binding advisory question that asks residents whether the state should implement a "millionaire" tax aimed at providing property tax relief.
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Report links Illinois' job losses and economic impact to occupational licensing
Illinois' occupational licensing regulations have been linked to significant economic and employment challenges, according to a report by the Illinois Policy Institute’s Center for Poverty Solutions. The report indicates that nearly 25% of the state's workforce, approximately 1.6 million people, require licenses to work, leading to 135,000 lost jobs and $15 billion in lost economic value. These regulations are also said to exacerbate racial and income inequality.
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Chicago Public Schools Board election: Early voting starts October 3
Early voting for the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education race begins on Thursday, October 3, ahead of the November 5 general election. This marks the first time a candidate will be elected for one of ten districts in the school board.
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Illinois voters face non-binding millionaire's tax proposal for property relief
Early voting has started in Illinois for the November 5 general election, which includes a non-binding advisory question on whether the state should adopt a "millionaire" tax for property tax relief.
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Chicago Teachers Union fails to release financial audits for four consecutive years
Despite a requirement to produce an internal financial audit annually, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) has not released one in four years. The last audit was published on September 9, 2020, covering the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 fiscal years.
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Illinois students face ongoing challenges as they return to school
CHICAGO (Aug. 26, 2024) – As most Illinois students head back to school, reports indicate that students continue to struggle with meeting grade-level standards in core subjects five years after the pandemic.
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Democratic National Convention brings attention to challenges faced by Chicago
CHICAGO (Aug. 19, 2024) – As the Democratic National Convention begins in Chicago this week, city and state leaders and their progressive policies will be under scrutiny.
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Chicago rent rises sharply; experts call for regulatory reform
CHICAGO (Aug. 15, 2024) – Chicago renters are experiencing unprecedented increases in rent, with prices rising significantly and unlikely to decline unless the city enacts regulatory reforms.
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Illinois homeowners face rising property taxes despite pension reform efforts
With second-installment property tax bills due in the coming months across Illinois, new data reveals a significant rise in these taxes.
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Housing unaffordability impacts one-third of Illinoisans
Renters in Illinois face significant challenges in finding affordable housing, with nearly half of all renters spending over 30% of their income on housing costs. Additionally, 26% of renters are paying more than half of their income on housing.
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Chicago Teachers Union pushes unprecedented $51.5 billion contract
CHICAGO (July 2, 2024) – The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is advocating for a contract that could cost taxpayers $51.5 billion or more, setting a precedent not seen in other major cities. An analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute reveals that almost none of CTU’s political demands are present in teachers union contracts in New York, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Oakland, Columbus, or Minneapolis.