Illinois Policy Institute
Recent News About Illinois Policy Institute
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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.
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Illinois gas tax set to rise again starting July 1
Illinois gas tax rises to 47 cents a gallon July 1
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Black, Hispanic residents comprise majority of Chicago's homicide victims
CHICAGO (June 10, 2024) – As Chicago moves into summer, analysis indicates that low-income areas of the city and Black and Hispanic Chicagoans are significantly more likely to experience crime.
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Court blocks law limiting candidate slating ahead of Illinois elections
Springfield, Ill. (June 5, 2024) – The Illinois Circuit Court in Sangamon County has granted a permanent injunction regarding Senate Bill 2412. This bill, signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker on May 3, had removed the option for political parties to slate candidates when primary nominations went unfilled, giving incumbent lawmakers in 78 legislative districts an advantage this election season.
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Chicago Teachers Union's latest demands may cost taxpayers up to $13.9 billion
CHICAGO (June 3, 2024) – With the Chicago Teachers Union contract expiring at the end of the month, leaked demands show the union is looking to negotiate over issues such as electronic bus fleets, stipends for asylum-seeking students, and CTA passes for all students and staff—items that go far outside the traditional scope of collective bargaining.