Government

Illinois Policy Podcast

Chicago and Illinois are at a crossroads.

Taxes are rising, families are leaving, schools are failing, and public safety is on the line.

The Illinois Policy Podcast goes beyond the headlines to bring you candid conversations with leaders, thinkers, and reformers who know what’s really happening in our state — and what it will take to change course.

Each episode delivers:

-Honest discussions about Chicago and Illinois politics

-Deep dives into education, crime, taxes, and budgets

-Stories from people directly impacted by policy decisions

-Solutions that can restore opportunity and prosperity

Hosted by the Illinois Policy Institute, this podcast is for anyone who loves Chicago and Illinois but knows our state deserves better.

🔔 Subscribe now for real talk about Illinois’ future.

Latest Episodes:

Why you should run for school board in Illinois Nov 29, 2022

Show notes

The consolidated election will give voters a chance to elect their local school board members, who influence spending on property tax bills and make other important decisions regarding education. While the election isn’t until April 4, 2023, petitions to run for school board are due Dec. 19. Director of Labor Policy Mailee Smith explains why local elections are so important. She breaks down what to know if you want to get active in local school board races.

Election Day 101: Understanding the Illinois ballot Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

Voting polls have opened for the Nov. 8 general election and Illinois residents can cast their in-person votes at locations statewide. What's at stake for Illinois? Bryce Hill explains what voters need to know about everything from Amendment 1 to the gubernatorial race to how many candidates are running for Statehouse office.

How the 'workers' rights amendment' hurts 93% of Illinois workers Nov 02, 2022

Show notes

With only a few days left until Election Day, Illinois' government unions continue to tout Amendment 1, a proposed constitutional amendment at the top of the Nov. 8 ballot. Amendment 1's chief sponsor admitted the amendment cannot protect all Illinois workers -- so why are proponents still saying it can? Mailee Smith, director of labor policy at Illinois Policy Institute, explains why Amendment 1 is a "legal trick" that would hurt more workers than it would help if it passes.

Debunking the myths behind Illinois' "workers' rights amendment" Oct 26, 2022

Show notes

Many misleading narratives surround Amendment 1, the proposed constitutional amendment at the top of the Nov. 8 ballot that proponents disingenuously call a "Workers Rights Amendment." Mailee Smith, director of labor policy at Illinois Policy Institute, identifies the top Amendment 1 myths that have spread during election season in this week's episode of The Policy Shop.

What is the legacy of the Chicago Teachers Union's 2019 strike? Oct 19, 2022

Show notes

Three years after the Chicago Teachers Union went on its last strike, the CTU maintains that its job is to represent teachers. But is that really what CTU does? Director of Labor Policy Mailee Smith reviews how CTU leadership's top priorities do not include representing its adult members nor serving the children in their care.

The $2B small business tax hike on Illinoisans' ballots Oct 12, 2022

Show notes

New research from the Illinois Policy Institute projects that commercial property taxes for Illinois businesses will grow to almost $2 billion by 2026. Amendment 1 on the Nov. 8 ballot would likely increase that amount even more. Illinois Policy Institute Vice President Austin Berg explains why Amendment 1 would make Illinois' notorious business climate even worse.

The truth about Illinois' economy Oct 04, 2022

Show notes

Illinois gubernatorial candidates Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Darren Bailey will face off in their first debate on Thursday, Oct. 6. And the no. 1 issue voters care about right now? The economy. Illinois' economy isn't as rosy as Gov. Pritzker sells it to be. Bryce Hill explains how Illinois' economy is performing and what it means for voters.

Ep. 55: Yes, Amendment 1 will hike your taxes. Here's how. Sep 28, 2022

Show notes

Illinoisans pay the second highest property taxes in the nation. If Amendment 1 passes, not only will that remain status quo, but it’s also expected for taxes to rise significantly. Find out how much your property taxes could go up if Amendment 1 passes at illin.is/taxcalc. Bryce Hill joins the Policy Shop with more.

Ep. 54: Is the 'teacher shortage' a myth? Sep 21, 2022

Show notes

Nationwide, there is a broad, far-reaching narrative that there are not enough teachers and that the teacher shortage is a huge problem to be solved. What is the truth about Illinois? While some districts are struggling, the data from Illinois State Board of Elections show over the last decade, Illinois has 45,000 more teachers but 180,000 fewer students in public schools. Director of Labor Policy Mailee Smith joins the Policy Shop to break down what may be happening.

Ep. 53: Illinois vs. Tennessee: Which state government gets it right? Sep 13, 2022

Show notes

Voters in both Tennessee and Illinois face an Amendment 1 on their respective Election Days. But they're very different amendments with very different outcomes that will drive the two states in very different directions. Mailee Smith tells the Policy Shop how Tennessee's amendment will help bolster its business environment while Illinois' amendment will have the opposite effect.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Illinois Policy Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected