Editorial: State lawmakers in Springfield pass bill to cut off competition in 78 races
Editorial: State lawmakers in Springfield pass bill to cut off competition in 78 races
Why did SB 2412 need to pass on May 2, in the middle of the election cycle, weeks after the primary election but still well ahead of the November general election? Many candidates had already started the complicated process of petition gathering and paperwork under the old rules. What justifies changing those rules in the middle of the game?
By Hilary Gowins
Leslie Callazo
Leslie Callazo
On May 2, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an election law change in the middle of a campaign year. It ends “slating,” a process through which candidates could be put on the general election ballot by local parties after the primary election. There are 78 active Statehouse races affected, many with potential candidates who had put...
Chicago Teachers Union wants leave so teachers can work for CTU Foundation, Mayor Johnson
Chicago Teachers Union wants leave so teachers can work for CTU Foundation, Mayor Johnson
CTU’s contract demands include leave time for Chicago Public Schools employees to work for the union’s non-profit organization and accept city government appointments, including from former CTU staffer Mayor Brandon Johnson.
By Mailee Smith
Chicago Teachers Union demands 130M free rides
Chicago Teachers Union demands 130M free rides
The Chicago Teachers Union has 142 pages of demands for its next contract. They include free mass transit for all students and employees in the Chicago Public Schools. That’s as many as 130.3 million free CTA tickets that could cost as much as $122.5 million.
By Jerry Barmore
Violent crime surges 26% at Chicago Public Schools, arrests hit record low
Violent crime surges 26% at Chicago Public Schools, arrests hit record low
Chicago Public Schools saw violent crime increase 26% in 2023 and arrests hit a record low of 8%. Now thanks to pressure from the Chicago Teachers Union and Mayor Brandon Johnson, police are being removed from schools.
By Patrick Andriesen
Stacy Davis Gates pays $1,533 in Indiana back taxes, penalties – late
Stacy Davis Gates pays $1,533 in Indiana back taxes, penalties – late
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates paid off $1,533 in back property taxes and penalties on her Indiana house after authorities revoked a credit reserved for owner occupants.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago Teachers Union wants schools to shelter homeless
Chicago Teachers Union wants schools to shelter homeless
A 142-page leaked set of Chicago Teachers Union demands includes creation of dormitories for unaccompanied youth and use of schools as sheltering places, all of which fall outside the normal scope of bargaining.
By Hannah Schmid
CTU demands partisan rallies so it can electioneer students
CTU demands partisan rallies so it can electioneer students
The Chicago Teachers Union’s 142-page list of demands includes codifying their most recent political rally. They took students out of class, hit them with propaganda and then marched them to the polls to vote.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois state gas tax to hit 47 cents July 1
Illinois state gas tax to hit 47 cents July 1
After July 1, Illinois motorists will be averaging $184 more in state gas taxes since Gov. J.B. Pritzker doubled them in 2019. Illinois motorists already pay the second-highest gas taxes in the nation, and inflation adjustments just take them higher.
By Dylan Sharkey
Editorial: Chicago Teachers Union leaders flip-flop on taxpayer-funded stadiums
Editorial: Chicago Teachers Union leaders flip-flop on taxpayer-funded stadiums
Chicago Teachers Union leadership opposed publicly funded stadiums in 2013. That’s changed: Chicago’s mayor is pushing a Bears football stadium deal needing billions in tax subsidies. And his pals in CTU leadership have yet to speak out about it.
By Hilary Gowins
More states give parents control over education funds, so why not Illinois?
More states give parents control over education funds, so why not Illinois?
There are 18 private school choice programs called “education savings accounts” in 16 states and growing. But Illinois leaders refuse to let parents decide how their taxes are used to educate their children.
By Hannah Schmid