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Their View
Chicago: Where violence and dismal education intersect
There’s a good reason why Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis-Gates is sending her son to a private school instead of the public one in her Roseland community. At Harlan Community Academy, the school Davis-Gates’s son would have attended, only 5 of every 100 students were proficient in reading in 2022. Roseland’s a dangerous place, too – 28 people were killed in the community last year.
Their View
New Poll: Pritzker’s approval rating sinks to 40.5%; Biden up 9% over Trump in Illinois
A new poll of Illinois voters by Emerson College says Gov. JB Pritzker carries a 40.5% approval rating.
Their View
Gotion’s Illinois-China Controversy Reaches Presidential Candidate Platform; National Attention Expands
Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy slammed plans for Gotion’s electric vehicle lithium battery plants in Illinois and Michigan at a Wednesday rally near the Michigan proposed site. Gotion, which is Chinese owned, is set to receive about $8 billion in taxpayer subsidies for its Manteno plant, which will cost only $2 billion to build, and the company has clear ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
Their View
Convictions haven’t changed the Madigan method of ruling Illinois
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is a man who needed blind loyalists to hold his power in Springfield over the last 40 years. Tim Mapes played that role well. Mapes was Madigan’s longtime chief of staff and held other titles as he worked alongside Madigan to control the Illinois House of Representatives and Democratic Party of Illinois.
Their View
Chicago teachers union spending on teachers down, politics up in 2023
The Chicago Teachers Union’s most recent federal report reveals just 17% of its spending in 2023 was on representing teachers, but it tripled its political spending from the previous year. Nearly 500 teachers left the union.
Their View
Low 3rd-grade literacy is warning for future learning, earning potential
Few Illinois third-grade students can read at grade level. Even fewer low-income and minority students are at grade level in reading. Research shows this is a warning sign for Illinois students’ academic success and adult earning potential.
Their View
The case for optimism: Why we can overcome these dark hours for America and Illinois
In its darkest hours, the American Revolution, America faced a single threat – the British Army – but today, the list of its mortal threats is long: an open border order, rampant crime, politicized schools, politicized justice, inflation, lost energy independence, biased and corrupt media, woke everything and suppression of free speech by social media colluding with the government.
Their View
Illinois can fight poverty by reducing excessive regulations that limit jobs
Data from the Mercatus Center shows Illinois faces a high regulatory burden at both the federal and state level. Research shows these regulations place a disproportionately high burden on the poor, helping to keep them in poverty.
Their View
Pritzker resorts to labeling - false labeling - to fend off criticism of his Chinese communist-linked project in Illinois
Gov. JB Pritzker finally responded to criticism of his recently announced electric vehicle battery factory to be built in Manteno, Illinois by Gotion, which is closely tied to the Chinese Communist Party – the CCP.
Their View
What happens when children commit crimes?
Juvenile violence is an ongoing concern in our community. All too often, my office prosecutes serious violent acts committed by juveniles including car thefts, shootings, and murders. Due to legally required confidentiality when minors are involved, and the uncertainty of terms of confinement in the juvenile system (these issues are explained below), some in the community may fear that violent juveniles are not being dealt with appropriately.
Their View
How Illinois public school measures fail to add up
Contradictory metrics statewide point to poor accountability and grade promotion standards in Illinois. Low-income parents seeking alternatives are hamstrung as lawmakers weigh ending Illinois’ only school choice program.
Their View
There is no longer cash bail in Illinois. What happens now?
After litigation delaying its implementation, the full provisions of Illinois’ SAFE-T Act went into effect on Sept. 18. Here’s what to expect.
Their View
Migrant crisis is apocalypse now - and worsening - but Illinois leadership ignores the only solution. Why?
For Chicago and Illinois, suicide is apparently preferable to the only real solution available – ending sanctuary status and demanding that the border be enforced.
Their View
Illinois public schools funding up almost $2B since school choice program began
Public education has received about $1.98 billion in additional funding since the 2018-19 school year when the Invest in Kids scholarship tax-credit program awarded its first scholarships to low-income students to attend the schools of their choice.
Their View
Southern Illinois taxpayers spend $134.4M since 2002 to keep airport open
An underused airport near Belleville, Illinois, has required local taxpayers to chip in $134.4 million since 2002 to keep it operating.
Their View
Chicago criminals have green light to rob, loot, burgle as odds of punishments collapse to near zero
The decision to commit a crime in Chicago has never been easier. Criminals are almost guaranteed to profit because the chances of getting caught and punished have collapsed to near-zero.
Their View
Illinois government unions celebrate Labor Day with 36,000 fewer members
Labor Day this year leaves Illinois government unions fewer members to celebrate with. It appears to be the unions’ own fault. Over 36,000 workers have distanced themselves since 2017.
Their View
As request for federal bailout pends, does anybody have a clue how much migrants arriving in Chicago are costing taxpayers?
Layer after layer is piling up of incoherent numbers about the cost to taxpayers of migrants arriving in Chicago. It’s no surprise that the city and the state have now asked for a federal bailout from migrant costs, but how much is needed?
Their View
An important lesson from Chicago on confronting the enemies of free speech
The modern left’s assault on free speech is perhaps the most terrifying element of the madness we have succumbed to for the simple reason that democracy is meaningless without it. The assault has been largely successful. Voices that should be heard are muzzled and, more insidiously, countless other voices are frightened into silence.
Their View
Midwest states expand school choice while Illinois fights to save scholarships for low-income students
Five Midwest states have enacted or expanded school choice programs since the Invest in Kids Act was enacted in 2017. Now Illinois’ scholarships are set to expire while other programs thrive.