LATEST NEWS

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Migrant Crisis Is “Unsustainable”

January 5, 2024 By: Katie Clancy While you were enjoying the holidays, you might have missed the news about the continuous busloads of migrants arriving in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. After getting a taste of what border states like Texas have dealt with and who continue to see record-high border crossings, Mayor Brandon Johson is saying Chicago’s ability to take in these migrants is “unsustainable.” Seems like an obvious admission, except for the fact that sanctuary city and state policies that both Chicago and Illinois have, and the seemingly open borders policy the Biden administration has embraced, are all why we are in this crisis in the first place ...
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Migrant Crisis Is “Unsustainable”

January 5, 2024 By: Katie Clancy While you were enjoying the holidays, you might have missed the news about the continuous busloads of migrants arriving in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. After getting a taste of what border states like Texas have dealt with and who continue to see record-high border crossings, Mayor Brandon Johson is saying Chicago’s ability to take in these migrants is “unsustainable.” Seems like an obvious admission, except for the fact that sanctuary city and state policies that both Chicago and Illinois have, and the seemingly open borders policy the Biden administration has embraced, are all why we are in this crisis in the first place ...
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The Waiting Game

December 1, 2023 By: Katie Clancy Governor Pritzker stresses patience for families who are scared of rising crime and desperate for better educational opportunities for their children. He’s asking families to play the waiting game to see an improvement in public safety and educational outcomes. He wants you to believe his policies are working. You just haven’t felt it or seen it yet. Governor Pritzker’s latest comments saying “it will take some time” for families in Chicago to feel safer is insensitive and statistically false. Crime in Chicago is up 18% since he took office. And up 6% just from last year. Crime isn’t going down. That’s why families aren’t ...
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A Flat Income Tax Is Keeping Illinois Afloat

November 21, 2023 By: Katie Clancy The Tax Foundation recently ranked Illinois the 37th least competitive business tax climate in the country. The flat income tax is the only policy keeping the state out of the bottom ten. Many tax reforms need to be tackled to improve the ranking and welcome more businesses and jobs to Illinois. And despite being roundly rejected by voters in 2020, some Illinois lawmakers still haven’t given up on changing the constitution and creating a graduated income tax. Last spring, Governor Pritzker expressed his desire to try once again and implement a progressive income tax. Senator Robert Martwick from Chicago re-introduced legislation to make the ...
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Illinois Continues Its Losing Streak

November 10, 2023 Illinois continues its losing streak as it becomes the first state in the nation to roll back one of the state’s only family empowerment programs- the Invest in Kids Act. Due to the inaction of the General Assembly and Governor Pritzker, over 9,000 working families will have to scramble to come up with the funds to keep their children in the schools they love or be forced to return to their failing or unsafe neighborhood school. Another 25,000 families who were on waiting lists for better opportunities will be left disappointed and overlooked over once again by the elites in Springfield. Out-of-touch politicians, who exercise educational freedom ...
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Empower Families With the Right to Choose Their Child’s Education

November 8, 2023 By: Katie Clancy In what should be a very busy veto session in Springfield with Invest in Kids Scholarships hanging in the balance, high inflation, and exorbitant taxpayer funded medical costs for migrants piling up, Illinois’ leaders seem more focused on the election results in different states. Speaker Chris Welch tweeted: “Ohio enshrined the right to choose in the state constitution. Kentucky re-elected a pro-choice Democratic governor. Virginia Democrats kept the Senate AND flipped the House. This is what happens when we come together to stand for women’s rights and equality for all.” Pritzker isn’t even in Illinois. He’s in Florida trolling for media hits ahead of ...
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What’s “Controversial” About Empowering Families?

November 7, 2023 By: Katie Clancy This week is the last chance for families and educational freedom advocates to urge the General Assembly to extend the Invest in Kids Act before it expires December 31.  Unfortunately, these families are up against powerful politicians and special interest groups like the teachers unions and Congressional Democrats who are pulling out all the stops to end this life-changing program. It’s also not particularly helpful that the media is framing these private donations that uplift working families as “controversial.” Axios, Chalkbeat, the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun-Times and others keep repeating the talking point that the program is “controversial.” What’s actually controversial is the ...
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Local Wins

October 31, 2023 By: Katie Clancy Progressive activists have been hitting the ground hard this year, advancing bad policies that consolidate power for the elite and hurt working families. In the midst of what seems like an overhaul of progressive successes, we would like to highlight a couple of local wins in areas that are not typically “moderate.” The Evanston City Council was considering eliminating their sub-minimum wage as Chicago did earlier this fall. Thankfully, on behalf of local restaurant owners, tipped employees, and restaurant patrons, they decided not to go forward with the policy. This ill-intentioned government mandate hurts both small business owners and tipped employees. Washington D.C. is ...
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Illinois Gets ‘F’ For Education Freedom

October 17, 2023 By: Katie Clancy In a new report from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Illinois receives a failing grade for education freedom. The report “evaluates each state on essential policies that change students’ lives by empowering parents and families with choice in education.” The scoring categories look at education funding mechanisms such as education savings accounts and vouchers, while also analyzing homeschooling policies, autonomy of charter schools, virtual schooling, and open enrollment. Neighboring state Indiana received an ‘A’ grade while our other Midwestern neighbor Iowa received a ‘B.’ Florida, the fastest growing state in the country, also received an ‘A.’ Education policy remains top of mind for ...
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The Reality of Press Release Politics

October 3, 2023 By: Katie Clancy Democrat led states and cities around the country are now eating their words as the crisis at the southern border comes to their front doorstep. In 2018 while running for office for the first time, Gov. Pritzker tweeted, “I’ll stand up for sanctuary cities and make Illinois a welcoming place where everyone is treated with dignity and provided with an opportunity to achieve their potential.” In 2021, Gov. Pritzker also signed legislation, “Further Establishing Illinois as the Most Welcoming State in the Nation.” In March, then-candidate Brandon Johnson for Mayor tweeted, “Chicago must lead with and live by the promise to be a sanctuary ...
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Job Killing Ordinance Advances in City Council Committee

October 2, 2023 By: Katie Clancy The Chicago City Council’s Workforce Development Committee advanced an ordinance with a 9-3 vote that will phase out the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers until 2028. Alderman Sposato, who represents a border ward (38th), called the ordinance a “job killer.” And he’s right. In a survey of over 300 restaurant operators in Chicago, 76% said they will have to decrease the number of tipped workers they employ. To add insult to injury, the servers who are able to keep their jobs will most likely take a pay cut. That’s what motivated server, Karylin Veres, to testify. She said, “I fear a mass exodus of ...
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School Choice Hypocrites

September 6, 2023 By: Katie Clancy As most families are celebrating the beginning of the new school year with hope and optimism, there are 9,000 families who are recipients of Invest in Kids Scholarships worrying about the fate of the program and whether or not their children will still be able to attend the school they love come next fall. These families worry because Governor Pritzker refused to include the Invest in Kids scholarships in the budget and refuses to say where he stands on the future of this wildly successful and popular program. This, of course, comes after lying about his support for the life-changing school choice program in ...
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Pritzker Violates His Own Truth Standard

August 9, 2023 By: Katie Clancy While defending legislation that targets pregnancy resource centers and potentially violates the First Amendment, Governor Pritzker stated, “You have a right to free speech, but you don’t have a right to lie.” First, that’s not what the First Amendment means, and second, if that’s Governor Pritzker’s standard, he is one of the worst violators out there. While campaigning for his first term, Pritzker was asked if he would veto a map that was “drafted or created by legislators, political party leaders and/or their staffs or allies?” Pritzker responded: “Yes, I will pledge to veto. We should amend the constitution to create an independent commission ...
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Illinois Should Join Five Other States and Ban RCV

August 9, 2023 By: Katie Clancy This week, Governor Pritzker signed a bill assigning a task force to study implementing ranked-choice voting (RCV) in the presidential primary election in Illinois. The problem is RCV does the exact opposite of what its proponents advocate. It creates a confusing system for voters and an even more difficult time calculating accurate results for clerks’ offices. Neither which inspires much confidence for voters already weary of the integrity of our elections. Completely upending the current election system is an extreme measure to combat residents from voting for presidential candidates who have already dropped out of the race (which would still be the case in ...
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The Free Market at Work

July 24, 2023 By: Katie Clancy The progressive wing and some self-described socialists on the Chicago City Council, and Mayor Brandon Johnson are trying to forge ahead with a small business-killing ordinance that will drive up costs for local restaurants and result in less take-home pay for service workers.  Typically, tipped servers have a lower minimum wage (sub-minimum wage) and rely on tips from customers. This system historically benefits both servers and small business owners. Tipped workers nationwide report earning more-than-twice the current federal minimum wage and it results in lower labor costs for owners who operate on the smallest of profit margins. Furthermore, 97% of tipped workers and 82% ...
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Save the Tip Credit!

The Chicago City Council is considering proposals to eliminate the tip credit in restaurants, forcing an increase in labor costs of over 144%. Chicago's small businesses and working families are struggling after years of pandemic restrictions and high inflation. They can't afford more meddling from City Hall. - Tipped workers report earning more than Chicago's minimum wage ($15.51/hour) on average. Tipped workers can make as high as $84 per hour. - A 2022 study from University of California-Irvine found that for every $1 increase in the tipped minimum wage, there is a corresponding 6.1% decrease in tipped restaurant employment. - Tipped workers are 20% less likely to be poor than ...
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Repairing the Damage

June 22, 2023 By: Katie Clancy Devastating results just released from the Department of Education show student test scores have taken a nosedive. Alarm bells are sounding across the country. Will they here? Parents desperately wanted their children to return to the classroom for in-person instruction. Many school districts and private schools worked extremely hard to ensure teachers and students could safely return. Others? Not so much. This was how the Chicago Teachers Union responded to the push to reopen schools: “The push to reopen schools is rooted in sexism, racism, and misogyny.” And on potential learning loss, “As educators, we must resist getting sucked into the contrived notion of ...
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Don’t Settle, Chicagoans

June 8, 2023 By: Katie Clancy I love Chicago. There isn’t a city in the world like it: the beautiful lakefront, world-class restaurants, and my personal favorite landmark, the iconic Wrigley Field. Now, the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board may call me a “hater,” but I don’t want Chicagoans to settle for the current state of the City. Behind the beauty of our iconic lakefront, lie a host of issues that pervade the lives of everyday Chicago families. Failing public schools may not prevent tourists from visiting to snap their photo with the Bean and grab a slice of deep dish pizza. But after the Instagram story is posted and they ...
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The Predictable and Uninspiring State Budget

May 31, 2023 By: Katie Clancy Every year, members of the House and Senate are delivered a multi thousand page budget in the middle of the night or during the long Memorial Day weekend when most families are enjoying the time off. The most obvious response to such an egregious lack of transparency and collaboration is to ask, how are members supposed to vote on a budget that includes $50 billion in spending with very little time to review and debate? It is true that their methods aren’t in the spirit of good government. And it is also true that  through their words and actions every day they aren’t hiding ...
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Unspent Billions: Why Abandon the Invest in Kids Scholarship Program?

May 22, 2023 By: Mark Cavers The Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship Program is a beacon of hope for thousands of families seeking a better life for their kids. Yet, opponents argue that allocating funds to the Invest in Kids Program diverts resources from public schools as the Program comes up for renewal. "If we want to really focus on making sure that our Black and brown students get a quality education, we need to take that $75 million and put it into those schools to help those public schools address the needs of those students," said Kathi Griffin, president of the Illinois Education Association. However, this argument doesn't ...
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Chicago Values in the National Spotlight

May 16, 2023 By: Katie Clancy To much fanfare last month, Chicago was announced as the host city for the Democratic National Convention. Governor Pritzker tweeted that he’s “thrilled” Chicago was chosen to host the Democratic National Convention. And Mayor Brandon Johnson said, “Chicago is a world-class city that looks like America and demonstrates the values of the Democratic Party.” But lately, Chicago is getting nationally recognized for all the wrong reasons, and those policy failures and so-called “values” will only be on further display during the 2024 convention under Mayor Johnson’s leadership. Assuredly, celebrating the progressive policy agenda of protecting a woman’s unrestricted right to an abortion, abolition of ...
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Save the Invest in Kids Act!

Every child should have the opportunity for a world-class education. It is the only way they will be able to compete and contribute to today's economy and society. Unfortunately, Illinois is failing on this front. Some families exercise school choice by moving to a better school district, but low-income and working families don’t have the ability to do so. A child’s potential shouldn’t be determined by a zip code or their family’s income. The Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship Program has granted over 40,000 scholarships to well deserving families providing them the opportunity to send their children to a school that best fits their unique needs. The program is ...
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Quick Take on Pritzker’s Progressive Priorities

May 4, 2023 By: Katie Clancy After failing miserably to pass a tax hike on small businesses and families during a global pandemic, Speaker Chris Welch announced that he and his Democratic colleagues will not be proposing the Tax Hike Amendment as a ballot initiative in the 2024 election. Although, just as recently as a few weeks ago, Governor Pritzker said, “I still believe in a graduated income tax.” Pritzker’s double down on this deeply unpopular policy speaks volumes to his intentions to be the most progressive governor in the country in his pursuit of a possible presidential run in 2028. It also makes sense as to why Speaker Welch ...
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The Accountability Run Around

May 3, 2023 By: Katie Clancy Yesterday’s guilty verdict of the ‘ComEd Four’ doesn’t bode well for former Speaker Mike Madigan in his pending trial for his alleged role in the ComEd bribery scandal. Madigan’s legal fate is now in the hands of the court. But a possible guilty verdict isn’t where the accountability should end. For decades, his colleagues elected him as leader. And when his legal fate was finally coming to a head, some of these same colleagues finally turned on him, while others continued to stand by his side. Madigan still enjoyed support from State Representatives Maura Hirschauer (D-Batavia), Janet Yang Rohr (D-Naperville), Dave Vella (D-Rockford) and ...
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What Chicago Families Need

April 7, 2023 By: Katie Clancy Chicago families deserve to feel safe and deserve to have the opportunity to lead productive and fulfilling lives. For the past four years, that opportunity has been slipping away. Small businesses were forced to close with some never reopening, children fell even further behind as Chicago Teachers Union leadership kept them out of the classroom for almost two years, and the increase in crime left thousands harmed and even more afraid for their safety. Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s stated policy goals are not what Chicago families need. 63% of Chicago voters said they do not feel safe. Yet only roughly 33% of registered Chicago voters ...
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Public Safety Is A Women’s Issue

March 29, 2022 By: Katie Clancy There is a very narrow list of policies that politicians use to pander under the guise of “women’s issues.” And none create more enthusiasm than the topic of abortion. That’s the issue that gets the marches, the slogans, and the campaign cash. Unfortunately, the one that is typically forgotten, but should be at the top of the list, is public safety. In a worldwide survey conducted by Adidas, 92% of women have safety concerns about outdoor running. More locally, a recent Chicago Sun-Times poll found that 67% of Chicago women feel unsafe. Tragically, 87 women were killed in Chicago in 2022 and 19 so ...
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Empower Families Now

March 23, 2022 By: Katie Clancy Governor Pritzker has grand plans for education in Illinois. Universal pre-k, larger investments in “evidence based funding,” and free community college to name a few. The only problem with these “transformative investments?” None of them provide tangible improvements to student outcomes. Unfortunately, student achievement in Illinois is dismal. In 2022, only 16% of students were reading at grade level and only 15% at target or advanced levels in mathematics. Truly dismal, tragic numbers that will alter the future of these young kids’ lives. Pritzker, like most Illinois politicians, sees this as an opportunity to do the only thing he knows; propose more funding in ...
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What Kind of Chicago Do We Want to Live In?

March 1, 2022 By: Katie Clancy Lori Lightfoot’s failed tenure as mayor wasn’t because she was “dealt a bad hand.” It’s not because of race, gender, or sexual identity. And it’s not due to her tone-deaf Tik Toks, her infamous haircut during COVID lockdowns, or worst of all, the “Rona-Destroyers.” It’s because Chicago families, 66% in fact, feel unsafe in the city today. Mayor Lightfoot had plenty of opportunities to send a message to those who broke the law and to families worried about their own safety. What did she do instead? She made police officers the bad guys when she ended foot pursuits and condemned those who didn’t adhere ...
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For Immediate Release: Illinois Opportunity Project Launches Coalition To Stop Ranked-Choice Voting

February 28, 2023 Chicago, IL- The Illinois Opportunity Project launched the Stop-Ranked Choice Voting Coalition to oppose the confusing and disenfranchising voting system gaining steam in Springfield and the Chicago City Council. “Ranked-choice voting is a scheme to inject chaos into our election system and disenfranchise voters across the state of Illinois,” said Katie Clancy from the Illinois Opportunity Project. California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation on implementing ranked-choice on the local level saying, “it has often led to voter confusion, and the promise that ranked-choice voting leads to greater democracy is not necessarily fulfilled." Ranked choice voting has faced bipartisan opposition because of its confusing nature with red states ...
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Instead of Attacking Him, Pritzker Should Take a Page from DeSantis’ Policy Agenda

February 17, 2022 By: Katie Clancy Governor Pritzker can’t attack Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Florida’s outstanding financial position, booming population growth, or educational achievements. So, he resorts to name-calling and labeling him with all the “phobics” and “isms” to distinguish himself from the popular governor from the sunshine state. Florida is thriving for all residents, meanwhile Illinois’ policies are hurting everyone, including its most vulnerable. So, would Illinois be better off if Gov. Pritker copied Gov. DeSantis’ policy agenda, instead of attacking him? Let’s start with the basics. Florida has no income tax. Illinois has a flat tax of 4.95% and politicians want to change that and hike taxes ...
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Stop Ranked-Choice Voting

FILE A WITNESS SLIP CLICK HERE to full out a witness slip online to oppose SB 1456. -Fill out your name, address, email and phone number. Leave everything else blank or put self.-<SELECT SUBJECT MATTER> SB 1456-Highlight “Opponent” and “Record of Appearance Only.”-Check Terms of Agreement and click Create Slip. Protect Our Elections and STOP Ranked-Choice Voting in Illinois Ranked-choice voting will disenfranchise your vote and disrupt our election system. Sign here to stop Ranked-Choice Voting from happening in Illinois and protect your vote. #StopRCV Use the hashtag #StopRCV to allow the coalition to find your content faster! Why Ranked-Choice Voting Is Bad for Illinois Residents The politicians and special ...
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IOP Statement on Pritzker’s Budget Address

February 15, 2022 As families flee Illinois to states with lower property taxes and a better quality of life, Gov. Pritzker bragged about “budget surpluses” with no mentions of tax relief or downsizing the state’s lucrative spending habits. Listening to Pritzker’s address, you’d think the state is thriving. Meanwhile 63% of residents in the state’s largest city feel unsafe, families are paying some of the highest gas prices in the country, and inflation continues to set families back as prices of goods and services continue to be costly. On top of that, Pritzker’s newest idea to incorporate universal preschool into a system where kids are already struggling to read and ...
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Celebrating Empowered Families

February 7, 2022 By: Katie Clancy In January we celebrated National School Choice Week and the thousands of empowered families across the country who have the opportunity to send their children to a school that best fits their educational needs.  It also serves as a reminder for families who are unhappy with their current local public school that there are other options available to them. Depending on the policies in their state.  Arizona for example just signed the largest school choice bill in the nation. The program allows any child who opts out of public schools to receive around $7,000 each school year to use on educational expenses, “ranging from ...
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Chicago Mayoral Election Preview

January 27, 2022 Early voting in the Chicago Mayoral election begins January 26. WBEZ asked Chicagoans what they would ask the city’s mayoral candidates and what the candidates should be talking about as they ask for your vote. Here are some of our ideas. What should Chicago’s mayoral candidates be talking about as they compete for your vote? Chicago’s mayoral candidates should be talking about the fundamental changes needed to change the way the city operates. Whether it’s in budgeting and taxes, public safety, or education. The way the city operates now is failing. Chicago families and small businesses are overtaxed with depleting services in return. Families risk their own ...
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An Escape for CPS Families

January 13, 2022 By Katie Clancy After decades of failure to educate children and protect them from sexual predators, families of Chicago Public School students deserve an escape from this failed and dangerous system.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government gave CPS $1.8 billion to catch their students up educationally for time lost and adhere to their emotional needs. What did CPS do with this money? First, they have only spent a little over 52% of the allocated funds. Second, they were one of the last public school systems in the country to return to in-person learning, and third, union leaders found it noble to take more time out ...
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Pritzker’s Tax Relief Fallacy

January 12, 2022 By Katie Clancy Gov. Pritzker spent $152 million convincing Illinois residents he delivered tax relief. The cash splurge seemingly worked when he won reelection in November. He told residents that he saved them money at the gas pump, grocery store, and that he was putting money back in their pockets. In actuality, he was just delaying or suspending tax increases that are now in effect with the same bad economy. The inflation rate is still over 7%, grocery prices rose 12% according to the latest data, and Illinois gas prices continue to outpace the national average and currently sit at $3.45 per gallon compared to $2.90 in ...
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The Ideological Battle Threatening Public Safety

January 6, 2022 By Katie Clancy In politics, it is often difficult to find common ground. Now, this ideological divide has invaded policy conversations on issues that were once seen as no-brainers. We are seeing this ideological battle play out in Springfield around public safety. On the one hand is the debate over the ‘SAFE-T’ Act which would curtail law enforcement's ability to detain violent criminals. The controversial cash bail provision included in this bill has been halted by the Supreme Court. On the other hand is the “Protect Illinois Communities Act” that will “ban the future sale of nearly 100 different semi-automatic rifles, shotguns and pistols and require current ...
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5 Legislative Priorities for Illinois Families

January 3, 2022 By Katie Clancy This month, newly elected state legislators will be sworn in, but the Democratic Majority will remain in power. Although leaders like Speaker Chris Welch have shown an inclination to use this power to pass extreme policies, there are reasonable reforms that families should advocate for and should have bipartisan support. Here are five common sense reforms that legislators and families should advocate for this legislative session: Eliminate the Grocery Tax The grocery tax is currently suspended through June, but anyone who just went grocery shopping for Thanksgiving knows how expensive it is to buy even the most basic ingredients. Instead of reinstating this tax ...
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Keeping the Pressure On for School Choice

November 21, 2022 By Katie Clancy Despite vigorously campaigning against school choice in the past, Governor Pritzker appears to support tax credit scholarships that empower parents to send their children to a school that best suits their educational needs. As we have seen in the past, what one politician says during campaign season versus how they actually legislate when the opportunity presents itself could be completely different. One of the most egregious flip-flops to date was the complete abandonment of an Independent Map-Making Commission by Governor Pritzker and several members of the Democratic Majority. Instead, last year, they opted for the same archaic and corrupt process by picking and choosing ...
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Politics or Public Safety?

November 16, 2022 By Katie Clancy Last week’s midterms brought a Pritzker reelection victory, a bigger Democratic Majority in the House, and the maintaining of Democratic control in the Senate. There will be plenty of analysis on what went right for Democrats, what went wrong for Republicans, and much more in the next few weeks and months. But the most important question is, what does this mean for Illinoisans? One of the most talked about issues during the election was public safety, and most notably, the “SAFE-T” Act that over 50 States Attorneys across Illinois are currently challenging. Did Illinois residents trust politicians like Governor Pritzker when they offered vague ...
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Opportunity for Families

October 31, 2022 By Katie Clancy Last week, the abysmal academic results from the last school year were released. The results were no shock for those with children locked out of classrooms for several months or as long as two years. Or to anyone familiar with human nature. Some of the most devastating results were right here in Illinois. Only 1 out of 5 of Chicago’s fourth graders scored proficient in math and reading — a more than ten percentage-point drop in math from 2019. These kids and their families were failed by elected officials who prioritized their own warped political agenda instead of children's social and educational needs. These ...
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Why the SAFE-T Act Isn’t Safe

October 21, 2022 Guest Commentary by Natalia Dagenhart The Safe-T Act will be in full effect on January 1, 2023. What does it mean for Illinoisans? Have you ever heard about the Safe-T Act? Do you know what it says? I was lucky to attend an event where the main topic of discussion was the Safe-T Act (Pretrial Fairness Act). If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend such an event or never read or heard about the Safe-T Act, I would like to share with you what I learned. The Safe-T Act Forum took place on Tuesday, October 11 at the Naperville Country Club. The panelists were DuPage County ...
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Madigan’s Legacy: Corruption and Harassment in State Government

October 19, 2022 By Katie Clancy As much as legislators would like to pretend they are ushering in a new era in Springfield after Mike Madigan’s almost 50-year reign, there aren’t many signs of improvement at the statehouse. Instead, complacency and corruption are what we see. Just last week, Mike Madigan received yet another indictment from federal authorities for his alleged involvement in a pay-to-play scheme with AT&T, and in September, Sen. Emil Jones Jr. pled ‘not guilty’ to federal bribery charges for his alleged illegal involvement with a red light camera company. Sen. Jones has since resigned from his leadership posts but remains a member of the Senate. Jones ...
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It Gets Worse: The Costly and Dangerous SAFE-T Act

October 13, 2022 By Katie Clancy Illinois already has the second-highest property taxes in the nation. And now, with cashless bail going into effect on January 1, local governments will be scrambling to cover the costs and will inevitably look to hiking property taxes. That’s because the Act requires in-person pre-trial detention hearings for most criminal cases within 24-48 hours, which requires legal and judiciary staffing, prison staff and physical courtrooms in some cases. Most Illinois counties don’t have the personnel or funds to handle this. Kane County officials are already worried about filling a $3 million hole caused by provisions in the SAFE-T act and House Republican Leader Jim ...
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Another Property Tax Hike for Cook County Homeowners

October 3, 2022 By Katie Clancy Mayor Lightfoot has already canceled her own property tax hike for next year after much blowback from residents. Inflation is at record levels high. And Illinois homeowners still face the second-highest property taxes in the nation. Now, the Cook County Forest Preserves, spearheaded by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, is demanding more money. The Forest Preserve is asking taxpayers to weigh in on a property tax hike which would increase bills by $20 more a month. The Forest Preserve already has a $134 million budget but proponents of the increase say it’s not enough to support the vast entities the district is in ...
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Actions Speaker Louder Than Press Releases and Campaign Mailers

September 22, 2022 By Katie Clancy Illinois legislators take advantage of politically expedient moments instead of of instituting meaningful reform. They settle for the bare minimum, send out a nice sounding press release, and throw it on a campaign mailer hoping to get reelected the next cycle. For example, after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, legislators across the country were looking for ways to increase police accountability and keep communities safe. What did the Illinois legislature do? They stripped police of their power and completely shifted the criminal justice system to favor offenders over victims. They legislated on emotion and political favor rather than taking into account the ...
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SAFE-T Act Supporters Can’t Talk Their Way Out of This Disastrous Legislation

September 19, 2022 By Katie Clancy Supporters of the SAFE-T Act are being forced to defend their position on the Act, especially the impending elimination of cash bail on January 1, 2023. More and more residents are becoming weary of this disastrous legislation as fears of crime and public safety reach all-time highs. There’s no amount of explaining or social media graphics they can do to talk their way out of this bad legislation. Gov. Pritzker and the legislators who passed this bill are asking Illinoisans to trust their expertise on public safety over the 100 out of 102 States Attorneys from both parties in Illinois who are strongly against ...
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Are You Getting Your Money’s Worth? Part II

August 31, 2022 By Katie Clancy After Mayor Lightfoot announced she was increasing property taxes, taking $42 million out of taxpayers’ pockets and moving it into City coffers, we posed the question to Chicago homeowners, are you getting your money’s worth? And time and time again, city leaders have shown the answer is a resounding no. For instance, as the new school year kicked off, families with children with special needs are once again being asked to stay patient as their children’s transportation to school is compromised.  One parent explained that her daughter’s bus ride was an hour last year, but is now over two hours, leaving her daughter “crying ...
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Illinois’ Higher Education Racket

August 29, 2022 By Katie Clancy Last week, President Biden announced his plans to cancel a portion of student loan debt. Not only will this loan forgiveness fall on the backs of working families already dealing with the highest inflation rates in 40 years, but it does nothing to hold the college-industrial complex accountable. In Illinois, college tuition has doubled in the last decade. The University of Illinois boasts the second-highest tuition costs in the Big Ten and the country's fifth most expensive in-state tuition. A college degree was intended to be a gateway to opportunity. Today, young adults are so in debt that they can’t afford to get married ...
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Are You Getting Your Money’s Worth?

August 16, 2022 By Mark Cavers Last week, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot committed to raising property taxes on Chicago homeowners by 2.5% next year. The tax increase will take $42 million out of taxpayers’ pockets and move it into City coffers. For what? The City already spends billions of your dollars. So what are you getting for it? Eight out of every ten kids in Chicago Public Schools aren’t meeting performance standards. 30% of students are chronically absent – meaning they miss more than 10% of school days. By conservative estimates, the District spends $17,000 per student for these abysmal results. But this next property tax hike won’t improve student ...
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What Pritzker and Lightfoot Get Wrong About Attracting Businesses

August 11, 2022 By Katie Clancy After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the power to make abortion laws was sent back to the states. In Illinois, legislators have already codified abortion rights for this exact reason. Meanwhile, other states are looking to enact pro-life legislation. Illinois political leaders like Governor Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot are hopeful that the state’s extreme abortion rights will help attract businesses and spur job growth in the shrinking state. Of course, time will tell if abortion access propels businesses to move from one state to others or determine where they will expand, but we know that companies are not happy in ...
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The Core Constituency Championing the School Choice Movement

August 3, 2022 By Katie Clancy The school choice movement exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic when school closures that set back students academically and socially were dictated by politically motivated teachers unions rather than the input of parents. In states like Illinois, government officials failed to lead on the issue of reopening schools and left the decision to teachers unions who kept children in school districts like Chicago Public Schools out of the classroom for almost two years. The National School Choice Awareness Foundation defines school choice as the process of allowing every family to choose the K-12 educational options that best fit their children. The movement has long been ...
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Repeal the ‘Safe-T Act’ and Protect Families

July 27, 2022 By Katie Clancy With the November Election looming, there is another date that is quickly approaching that has States Attorneys and law enforcement officials all across Illinois feeling uneasy, January 1, 2023. On the first day of the new year, in accordance with the ‘Safe-T Act,’ no cash bail will go into effect. For the last year and a half, law enforcement officials have been sounding the alarms on the dangers of this new ‘so-called’ criminal justice reform. Will County State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow joined the chorus and minced no words saying the legislation “will destroy the state of Illinois.” To put that more into context, Glasgow ...
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Pritzker’s Partisan Push for President

July 18, 2022 By Katie Clancy Governor Pritzker has set his sights on the White House and is traveling all over the country, firing up the Democratic Party’s base and touting his progressive credentials. Pritzker and other politicians like Governor Newsom from California are eyeing up the White House as President Biden, and Vice President Harris’ approval ratings continue to plummet. The only problem? Their residents are rejecting the very failed governing models they are trying to sell nationally. Last year, Illinois lost the second most people in the country as families fled for states where they had a shot at a better life. California lost the 5th most people ...
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Can the Second City Be Saved?

July 13, 2022 By Katie Clancy Chicago was just named the second-best city in the world by the 2022 Time Out index. The high ranking was attributed to the city’s dining, beverage, and entertainment scene. And deservedly so. From sports to the arts to the beautiful lakefront and architecture, Chicago has much to offer its residents, tourists, and budding entrepreneurs. Yet, despite its strengths, the city has also found its way onto not-so-flattering rankings that are dimming Chicago’s greatness and disrupting the quality of life. A lot of the problems in the city stem from corruption. For three years running, Chicago has ranked as the most corrupt city in the ...
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What Lawmakers Should Address in Special Session

July 8, 2022 By Katie Clancy Illinois families are dealing with the highest inflation rates in 40 years. In some areas, gas prices are $5 or higher, and they’re living in fear as violent crime and lawlessness pervade their communities. Although these issues are prevalent across the country, Illinois’ policies are making it even worse. State government doubled the gas tax in 2019, and Illinois’ “SAFE-T” Act has demoralized police departments and prevents law enforcement from keeping communities safe. What are the actual consequences of these harmful policies? One report finds inflation costs Illinoisans a $2,200 pay cut. And Wirepoints found that in 2021, over 400,000 911 calls in Chicago ...
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Political Stunt at the Pump

June 30, 2022 By Katie Clancy As Illinoisans face record high gas prices, they should be rest assured that help is on the way, because the state is suspending the .2 cent tax increase from going into effect July 1. To clarify, there’s no tax cut to the second-highest gas taxes in the nation, but a temporary suspension of a .2 cent increase per gallon.  As part of this legislation, gas station owners are also required to display signage explaining the temporary suspension. The Illinois Fuel and Retail Association filed a lawsuit challenging this requirement but was dismissed in court. To take matters into their own hands, several gas station ...
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The Corruption’s Coming From Inside the Statehouse

June 22, 2022 By Katie Clancy Each election year, Illinois citizens are bombarded with mailpieces and TV commercials from politicians who say they are willing to fight corruption. They are claiming to tackle corruption as if it’s an abstract thing instead of promoting tangible reforms and holding specific corrupted legislators and their accomplices accountable. It’s similar to the movie “When A Stranger Calls” when law enforcement is trying to track down where the stranger who’s making threats is coming from. It turns out, the caller is in the house. In that same token, we know exactly where corruption is threatening in Illinois, it’s from inside the statehouse. We were reminded ...
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Flee Or Fight

June 16, 2022 By Katie Clancy In another blow to Illinois’ economy, Caterpillar announced its moving its headquarters to Texas. This is just 6 weeks after Boeing announced its departure from the Land of Lincoln. Senator Tammy Duckworth tweeted she was “shocked” by the announcement. As for anyone who has been observing the population decline and transfer of wealth away from Illinois, then it doesn’t come as such a shock. In 2021, CEO magazine ranked Texas as the best state to do business in and Illinois as the third worst behind New York and California. High taxes, increase in crime, and diminishing quality of life isn’t appealing to large corporations ...
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Small School Choice Victory

June 15, 2022 By Katie Clancy Illinois families who are recipients of Invest In Kids scholarships can sleep a little easier now knowing that their children will get first priority for scholarships if eligible for the following school year. This was one of two school choice improvement bills signed in Illinois. The other allows more flexibility for students eligible for a 75% or 50% scholarship. Although these are steps in the right direction to improve the quality of education for all Illinois families, much more is needed as highlighted in a recent devastating Wirepoints report. The report found that overall, less than 40% of all Illinois students were proficient in ...
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Give Citizens the Right to Recall

June 8, 2022 By Katie Clancy Yesterday, San Francisco citizens banded together and recalled their District Attorney, Chesa Boudin, for his failures to combat crime and keep their communities safe. According to their website, San Franciscans for Public Safety supported the recall because in Boudin’s first year of office, “burglaries spiked by 49%, and 84% of charged perpetrators were back on the streets within two days.” These concerned citizens couldn’t wait until the next election while crime got even worse and their neighborhoods deteriorated even further. They had to do something now. Thanks to state law, California citizens have the power to recall state and local officers. Despite efforts from ...
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Summer in Illinois Off to an Expensive Start

June 2, 2022 By Katie Clancy Memorial Day weekend is the ‘unofficial’ start to the summer season. Kids are out of school, the weather’s getting nicer, and we are finally heading into a summer with little to no COVID restrictions. According to a recent survey, the majority of families are taking advantage and vacationing this summer. But, families pointed to gas prices as a major factor in their plans. Unfortunately, their concerns are valid, and their summer plans will be costly, especially for families in Illinois. Gas prices hit a record high of $5.00 in Illinois on Memorial Day. There are multiple reasons for this, but much of the blame ...
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Drain the Corruption in Illinois

May 26, 2022 By Katie Clancy In Illinois, a story about corruption doesn’t always catch the average citizen’s immediate attention. The frequency of investigations and indictments can be too much to keep up with, but pain can’t be ignored. This week, former State Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago) was sentenced after pleading guilty for bribing a state senator to help get gambling legislation passed. In an attempt to get his client out of a prison sentence, Arroyo’s lawyer said,  “A prison sentence for the longtime Chicago Democrat would do nothing to stop the state’s seemingly intractable public corruption and would be akin to “draining Lake Michigan with a spoon.” Even if ...
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Self-Indulgent Celebration

May 20, 2022 By Katie Clancy After yesterday’s breaking news that the U.S. Census Bureau undercounted Illinois’ population, politicians like Gov. Pritzker, Senate President Don Harmon, and House Speaker Chris Welch took to social media to congratulate themselves on what a wonderful job they’ve been doing in state government. Their self-indulgent celebration couldn’t be further out of touch with the reality that ordinary families are experiencing. Just hours after their celebratory statements, there was yet another mass shooting in Chicago just a stone's throw away from Water Tower Place. As it stands now, two are dead, and eight others were injured. This is on the heels of an already violent ...
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City in Chaos

May 18, 2022 By Katie Clancy Almost everyday we are alerted about a rash of violent crimes occurring in Chicago. Families are worried, neighbors are on alert, and business owners express their concerns. Mayor Lori Lightfoot is forced to hold press conferences in attempts to quell concerns and then we move onto the next set of events. One person we rarely hear speak out on these incidents is Gov. Pritzker.  So far in May, 32 have been people shot and killed in Chicago and 161 shot and wounded. On May 6, an innocent 23 year old man was robbed and shot point blank three times in the Lincoln Park neighborhood ...
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The Race You Can Never Win

May 17, 2022 By Mark Cavers There is a famous scene in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass where Alice is in a race with the Red Queen, and she has to run faster and faster just to stay in place. It’s a story familiar to Illinois families who, for thirty years, have paid more and more in property taxes just to maintain the same or worse services and haven’t seen an increase in their home values. This painful dynamic is starkly presented in a new report from Wirepoints Inc. They find that families here experienced the 3rd-worst growth in median home values in the nation while paying the highest property ...
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A Supreme Court Leak Won’t Fix Pritzker’s Failed Policies

May 6, 2022 As pro-life families celebrate the potential repeal of the Roe v. Wade decision, Gov. Pritzker is focused on the issue instead of the daily concerns that Illinoisans care about. Families are suffering from the highest inflation rates in almost 40 years. Cities like Chicago are experiencing spikes in crime and surpassing record homicide rates. Families have had their eyes opened to the quality of their children’s education. Just five days ago, a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll revealed that 47% of voters said they are more likely to vote for the Republican in their district, as opposed to 44% who said Democrats. This is the first time Republicans ...
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April 30: Statewide Day of Action

Join our Statewide Day of Action Saturday, April 30 at multiple locations throughout the state. We will have a brief training session and introduction for both new and experienced door knockers. Neighbor-to-neighbor conversations at the door educating them on the issues is how we are going to change our state. If you have been searching for ways to get involved and strengthen your neighborhood, you are in the right place. Knocking on doors is the single most important and effective way to build movements and win elections. The time for talk is over, now is the time for action. See you on April 30! Chicago 7231 W. Touhy Suburbs 650 ...
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Do-Nothing Session Following Blockbuster Year of Corruption, Crime, And Soaring Costs

April 11, 2022 By: Katie Clancy It has been a blockbuster year for corruption, crime, and soaring costs of everyday goods. But in Springfield, Gov. Pritzker and the Democrat majority sat on their hands and decided to do nothing to address any of the issues on top of mind for struggling Illinois families. One of the most significant and consequential events in Illinois political history happened during this session: The indictment of former Speaker of the House, Mike Madigan. So is it too much to ask for even a hearing on ethics reform? Apparently. After decades of speculation and investigations, Mike Madigan was indicted for racketeering, extortion, and other charges ...
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Suburban Legislators Who Stood By Madigan

March 10, 2022 After last week’s indictment of Mike Madigan, some suburban legislators leaped to try and distance themselves from Madigan, but you know the truth. Let’s start with Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) who started off his first term as newly elected Speaker of the House praising the outgoing Mike Madigan. He began his speech saying: “This state will never be able to adequately thank Speaker Madigan for the job he has done.” His expressed admiration for Speaker Madigan didn’t deter his House colleagues from voting him as the new leader. Another perfect example of trying to rewrite history is Rep. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights). Walker voted for Madigan as ...
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Can Pritzker Beat Anyone?

March 8, 2022 This week marks the official start of the 2022 campaign season as candidates begin to file their petitions for elected office. It is important to emphasize that the 2022 election will be a referendum on Governor Pritzker and his performance and things don't look good for the incumbent. In 2018, candidate Pritzker ran against then-Governor Bruce Rauner who was so unpopular he barely won the Republican primary. The Republican Party division was further driven by a newly created “Conservative” party whose candidate spent nearly $5 million to garner 4% of the vote in the General Election. In the campaign, Pritzker ran against President Trump as much as ...
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Illinoisans Deserve Change

March 3, 2022 The Illinois Opportunity Project is optimistic for the State’s future following the long-awaited indictment of House Speaker Mike Madigan. Mike Madigan is one of the most high-profile indictments in the Illinois Democratic Party. But he is not alone. There is Chicago Aldermen Ed Burke and Patrick Daley Thompson, State Rep. Luis Arroyo, State Sen. Terry Link, and others. Yesterday’s indictment is a good step towards creating a government that is responsible and accountable to the people. But there is still more accountability to go. There is Tom Cullerton, who just pleaded guilty while serving as State Senator, and countless other members of the General Assembly who turned ...
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FEBRUARY 26: Statewide Day of Action

For three years, Gov. Pritzker and his buddies in Springfield have taken more money out of your bank account, have shut down your businesses and your child’s schools, and have made our communities less safe. Our families cannot withstand another four years of this failed leadership. Join us as we seize the opportunity to improve the lives of working families and support policies and leaders who will work for us and not against us. Join our Statewide Day of Action Saturday, February 26 at multiple locations throughout the state. We will have a brief training session and introduction for both new and experienced petition circulators. Neighbor-to-neighbor conversations at the door ...
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Protect Your Family

Which of Pritzker’s painful policies hurt you the most? Fill out the survey: ...
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Pritzker Creates Chaos in IL Schools

February 8, 2022 The person most responsible for causing chaos in Illinois schools is Governor Pritzker. Despite the outcries from students, teachers, and parents, Gov. Pritzker continues to unilaterally rule and act as if he knows what’s best for your children. He’d rather mock opposition and dictate from his bully-pulpit than listen to those impacted by his policies. For two years, Pritzker has kept parents sidelined regarding their children’s educational experience. Even while there have been massive strides in understanding how to combat COVID and seeing firsthand the harmful effects of remote learning and masking kids as young as two years old. Pritzker’s selfish power trip will be remembered by ...
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Pritzker Concedes Governing Agenda Failed

February 2, 2022 For three years, Gov. Pritzker actively worked against families, local businesses, and the workers they employ. He raised 24 taxes and fees, spent $56 million to push his Tax Hike Amendment, demoralized law enforcement officials, and failed to protect our communities. With muddling relection numbers, this last-ditch effort to appear on the side of working-class families won’t fool anyone. Especially the families who haven’t seen a decrease in their property taxes, who pay more at the gas pump each time they go to fill up, who fear their children are falling behind academically, and who feel less safe in their neighborhoods. Gov. Pritzker’s governing agenda has set ...
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Not a Big Enough Tent for Pritzker’s Failed Record

January 20, 2022 By: Katie Clancy The growing Republican Primary for governor is a reflection of the growing Illinois electorate hungry for change. While the focus of political provecautors and some members of the media is the politics within the Republican party, Illinois families are looking for the candidate with the best solutions to deliver tangible results to strengthen their communities. And they know that person isn’t J.B. Pritzker. The 2022 election won’t be a referendum on the politics in the Republican party, but on the governing record of Gov. Pritzker. We often hear the phrase “big tent party” which defines one of the political parties’ ability to reach a ...
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EVENT: Virtual Petition Training

For three years, Gov. Pritzker and his buddies in Springfield have taken more money out of your bank account, have shut down your businesses and your child’s schools, and have made our communities less safe. Our families cannot withstand another four years of this failed leadership. And now it’s your chance to fight back and support leaders who are willing to stand up to the political ruling class and serve your families. This movement starts with collecting petitions for candidates up and down the ballot. Join us for an informative, virtual petition training led by our expert petition circulator, IOP Field Director, Andy Bakker. The training will be held on ...
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EVENT: Statewide Day of Action

For three years, Gov. Pritzker and his buddies in Springfield have taken more money out of your bank account, have shut down your businesses and your child’s schools, and have made our communities less safe. Our families cannot withstand another four years of this failed leadership. Join us as we seize the opportunity to improve the lives of working families and support policies and leaders who will work for us and not against us. This movement starts with our Statewide Petition Kickoff Saturday, January 22, 2022 at multiple locations throughout the state. We will have a brief training session and introduction for both new and experienced petition circulators. Neighbor-to-neighbor conversations ...
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One Year Without Madigan

January 11, 2022 By: Katie Clancy Illinoisans are in a better position to improve their lives and reform state government since Mike Madigan’s departure. And it’s not because of his successor, but because the kinks in the Illinois Democratic Party’s armour are now exposed. Madigan’s political fate wasn’t decided by his colleagues, but by the voters when they resoundingly rejected him and Gov. Pritzker’s latest power grab in the Tax Hike Amendment. The Democratic caucus content to aid Madigan’s corruption was left in crisis when he resigned. Their crown jewel, a graduated income tax, wasn’t going to happen. Their crown prince, the powerful Mike Madigan, wouldn’t be around to protect ...
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Pritzker’s Failure to Contain COVID

December 28, 2021 Pritzker got it all wrong. After spending millions of dollars on TV ads praising himself for his response to COVID-19, Illinois is now reaching more cases a day than it has throughout this pandemic. While COVID is ravaging through families and communities, Illinosians are left waiting in long lines in the cold to get tested. What’s worse, is that instead of acknowledging his failure to contain the virus, he is doubling down and supporting Mayor Lightfoot’s and Cook County President Preckwinkle’s vaccine mandates to enter restaurants, gyms, and other recreational venues in an attempt to make it appear they have a handle on the crisis. Meanwhile, small ...
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The “Enough is Enough” Movement

December 13, 2021 By Katie Clancy It has become a sad routine to wake up every Monday morning and read the headlines recapping the tragedy and destruction in the City of Chicago. Today is no different. Longtime Chicago business owner, Joe Perillo, is saying “enough is enough” after his storeroom was robbed in broad daylight in the high-end Chicago Gold Coast neighborhood. He emphasized that he doesn’t want people to feel sorry for him, but for the countless business owners, employees, and even the robbers who feel hopeless and abandoned by the city and the State’s leaders. There were also some startling numbers, including the four people fatally shot and ...
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Pritzker’s Illinois Vs. Reality

December 9, 2021 By Katie Clancy Unless you’ve been living under a rock, it’s been pretty hard to avoid the coverage of the chaos and crime that has spread over the Chicagoland area the past few months. Heck, the past almost two years. Under Pritzker’s leadership, we have seen the devastation. $165 million in damages for businesses in the downtown Chicago area during the 2020 riots. Cook County’s homicide rate surpassed 1,000 deaths in 2021 for the first time in 27 years. But unlike everyday Illinoisans, Gov. Pritzker isn’t living in this reality. At the Governor’s Conference on Travel and Tourism, Pritzker declared, “Our state is the safest state in ...
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The Question is Can Pritzker Beat Anyone

December 2, 2021 By Mark Cavers In an interview with Crain's Chicago Business last week, Congressman Adam Kinzinger said, "If I ran for governor, I think I'm the only candidate that can win." His comments reinforce a common misreading of the 2022 political landscape. 2022 will be a referendum on Governor Pritzker and his performance, and so far, things don't look good for the incumbent. In 2018, candidate Pritzker ran against then-Governor Bruce Rauner who was so unpopular he barely won the Republican primary. The Republican Party division was further driven by a newly created “Conservative” party whose candidate spent nearly $5 million to garner 4% of the vote in ...
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Learning from the Best?

November 23, 2021 By Katie Clancy Illinoisans are still waiting for the “New Day” promised by newly appointed House Speaker Chris Welch, even as the Springfield political conglomerate tries to convince you it exists. Case in point, Politico reported that when looking for advice, Speaker Welch consulted with disgraced former Speaker Mike Madigan and Willie Brown, former California Speaker of the House and former Mayor of San Francisco. Both notorious former Speakers have a lot in common. During their prime, they were political forces, and more importantly, both were the subjects of multiple federal investigations. Both saw government and taxpayer money as their own. Leveraging special benefits for their friends ...
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What Chris Christie Gets Wrong About Illinois

November 23, 2021 By Mark Cavers Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said that Illinois is not a "top-tier" state for national Republicans last week, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. Illinoisans pay some of the highest taxes in the nation. Nearly 700 people have been murdered in Chicago as the city is on pace for its deadliest year in a quarter-century. Only 26% of kids performed at grade level in Math and only 31% in English in Illinois' schools. Wirepoints reports that each Illinois household is on the hook for $110,000 in crushing government-worker retirement debts. To see that these policies aren't sustainable, one just has to look at ...
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Pritzker’s Job Record: Total Failure

November 16, 2021 Gov. Pritzker's record on job creation is an absolute embarrassment. A total failure. Gov. Pritzker's picking and choosing what businesses were deemed "essential" to remain open during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis sent working families home without paychecks. His graduated income tax hike was aimed at harming community businesses and shuttering mom-and-pop shops. His band-aid tax incentives to electric vehicle companies are political grandstanding that will earn applause from the media and special interests but do nothing to undo the economic devastation he has wrought. Instead of using the heavy hand of the government to squash small businesses, Gov. Pritzker should be fighting to lower taxes for all ...
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Lessons from the 2021 Elections

November 15, 2021 By: Mark Cavers Illinoisans pay some of the highest taxes to one of the most corrupt governments in the country, which fails to provide even basic services like quality education for kids or safe neighborhoods for families. It has been this way for a generation as Illinois has become steadily more difficult to live in, more expensive to do business in, and more unsatisfactory to raise a family in. Will that change in 2022? Elections from across the nation this year point to an environment that will be favorable for change. In Virginia, candidates who promised to lower taxes, ensure public safety, and improve education won. In ...
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Less Politicking, More Educating

November 11, 2021 By: Katie Clancy As we showed last week, Illinois is in a serious education crisis. Test scores are plummeting, special needs students aren’t getting the services they need, and there is a continued shortage of teachers. While these crises are taking place, Gov. Pritzker’s appointed State Board of Education is focused on fulfilling its own political agenda. The Board’s latest proposal includes state funding for “interventions to have more explicit focus on racial dynamic, including equity direct approaches that offer concrete strategies for teachers’ behavioral changes in the classroom and increased bias awareness.” While kids are struggling to keep up with their reading and math curriculum, the ...
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Illinois Needs An Education Revolution

November 3, 2021 By: Katie Clancy On the heels of Glenn Youngkin’s victory in Virginia, it’s time for a movement in Illinois that prioritizes children’s learning and embraces parental involvement by reforming the state’s failed education system. In the week leading up to the election, polls showed that likely voters in Virginia’s number one issue was education. It was simple. Glenn Youngkin was on the side of parents, and Terry McAuliffe was on the side of teachers’ unions and politically motivated school boards. McAuliffe’s biggest blunders were his comments during a debate in which he said, “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.” And then ...
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Pritzker declares gun violence public health crisis

November 2, 2021 After a summer of violence and lawlessness in Chicago, Gov. Pritzker has finally acknowledged his complete failure to keep families safe. Pritzker declared that “gun violence” is a public health crisis on Monday. But, with his bags packed to jaunt off to an overseas climate conference, his disingenuous words and empty promises are too little too late.  After years of working to defund, demoralize, and demonize the police, downtown shootings have risen 220%, carjackings in Cook County are up 43%, and the number of homicide and shooting victims in 2021 have already surpassed the numbers from the previous three years. While Pritzker and the politicians in charge ...
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Government Overreach Overnight

October 28, 2021 By: Katie Clancy Growing up, my mom used to tell me, nothing good happens after midnight, the same goes for the General Assembly. In this case, when they’re in session, nothing good happens after 10PM. While you were going to sleep last night contemplating your work day or putting the finishing touches on your kid’s Halloween costume, the General Assembly again stuck their nose between you and your family’s health decisions. They weren’t working all summer to curb the second-highest property taxes in the nation or ensure communities are safe as Chicago tops over 700 homicides this year, or demanding more accountability for corrupt elected officials to ...
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Illinois Voters Are Ready for Recall Options

October 28, 2021 Last weekend, volunteers with the Illinois Opportunity Project, Wheatland Township Republicans, Plainfield Township Republicans, and Will County Young Republicans visited voters in Naperville and Plainfield, circulating a petition to give voters the power to recall their elected officials and talking about how we can end the culture of corruption in Illinois. While collecting signatures for the recall petition, volunteers said, overwhelmingly, that voters were excited about the initiative and wanted more ways to hold corrupt politicians accountable.  During a conversation with a gentleman who signed the recall petition, a volunteer asked him if he’s been paying attention to what’s been going on in the state, he responded ...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Illinois Opportunity Project Demands Hearing on Recall Proposal

October 22, 2021 Chicago, IL- As the General Assembly reports to Springfield for veto session, the Illinois Opportunity Project calls for Senate President Don Harmon and Speaker Chris Welch to hold hearings on Senator Jason Barickman and Representative Mark Batinick’s proposed constitutional amendments that provide voters with the power to recall corrupt elected officials. “Instead of using the veto session to settle political scores and please special interest groups, the General Assembly should tackle the issues most important to Illinoisans, starting with corruption. In a state that ranks as the second most corrupt in the country, a preventative measure to hold politicians accountable should be at the top of the ...
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A Useful Idiot and A Paper Tiger

October 21, 2021 By: Katie Clancy Politicians in our state and in Chicago don’t police themselves and hold each other accountable. Statistically Illinois is the second most corrupt state in the country and Chicago the most corrupt city. It’s not a stereotype or a running joke amongst political elites, but a true fact. What is even more jarring is that the watchdogs who are supposed to be there to keep the politicians in check, also have virtually no power. According to its website, Chicago’s Office of the Inspector General is “dedicated to ensuring honesty and integrity in City government by rooting out corruption, fraud, other misconduct, and waste.” More generally, ...
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Illinois Voters In Desperate Need of More Tools of Accountability

October 19, 2021 By: Mark Cavers An editorial in the News-Gazette highlighted the “many serious political and policy problems” facing Illinois but failed to acknowledge that it is voters’ lack of power over their state government that allows these problems to fester. In order for families to thrive and prosper in Illinois, they need a government that is responsive to their needs. Today that isn’t the case. The rules are rigged to shield those in power from political pressure, ensconcing them in office and allowing them to serve the politically connected rather than the people. To start to change this power dynamic, we are pushing to give voters the right ...
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EVENT: Knock Doors in Plainfield

We're going door to door collecting signatures for the recall initiative and discussing our shared conservative values in Plainfield! Door to door canvassing remains the most effective way to activate our voters and persuade new ones. We'll start at noon with a quick training on how to use the app and talk to voters at the door. From there, we'll head out to nearby neighborhoods in small groups. We'll have clipboards, petitions, and pens. Please bring a smartphone and dress for the weather! It's an exciting time to be building a movement in Illinois. See you there! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ...
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“It Doesn’t Make Sense”

October 7, 2021 By: Katie Clancy “Kim Foxx inspires me everyday through the work she does to protect Cook County- We need to keep unwavering, reformative leadership like hers in office.” That was high praise from then-candidate Pritzker in support of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx in 2018. “We don’t know where to go. It’s not seeming like the justice system is working for us. And that’s disheartening, it’s just angering,” grandmother of six-year-old Serenity Braughton who was shot and killed in Chicago and whose murderer faced no charges. "It doesn't make sense. It was murder. It wasn't self-defense. My son never swung. He never had a chance to ...
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Come to IL for the Abortions and Stay for the High Taxes and Crime

September 28, 2021 By: Katie Clancy In a desperate attempt to lure businesses to the Land of Lincoln, Gov. Pritzker touted Illinois’ lax abortion laws in hopes of garnering the attention of some major corporations based in Texas. In the letter sent to CEOs of major companies such as Oracle and Hewlett Packard, Pritzker states, “So as radical legislators in Texas functionally eradicate the autonomy of half of the state… I invite you to consider a new home base for your company… And last I checked, the majority of Americans aren’t too interested in living in a place where abortion isn’t an option.” What Pritzker fails to mention in the ...
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EVENT: Kick Out Corrupt Politicians

Illinois Opportunity Project and dedicated Illinoisans across the state launched a ballot initiative to ask voters if they want the power to recall their elected officials. Our movement seeks to empower voters with another tool to hold elected officials accountable between elections since the politicians have proven to be incapable of doing it themselves. Join us on Tuesday, September 28 at 6:30pm for a discussion of the policy and learn the tips and tricks you need to effectively circulate the recall petition. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kick-out-corrupt-politicians-a-discussion-on-the-recall-initiative-tickets-177505783577 ...
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Rep. Batinick, Sen. Barickman and IOP Launch Statewide Initiative to Empower Voters with Ability to Recall Politicians

September 21, 2021 Chicago, IL- Today, Representative Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield), Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), and the Illinois Opportunity Project announced their statewide grassroots campaign to place an Advisory Question of Public Policy on the November 2022 ballot asking voters if they want the power to recall their elected officials. “Voters should have the ability to hire and fire their elected officials,” said Rep. Batinick. “Illinois’ culture of corruption has gone on for far too long, and the people of Illinois have lost faith in their government. That begins to change today.” Illinois Democrats have ignored calls to increase accountability and empower voters. Last year, Sen. Barickman and Rep. Batinick introduced ...
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