The Policy Shop

The Policy Shop episodes:

• 01.11.2023

  These three things could fix Illinois in 2023

  The new, 103rd Illinois General Assembly session starts today. What are the key issues incoming lawmakers should address? Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research at the Illinois Policy Institute, recommends three solutions Illinois legislators could pursue to solve...

  
• 01.03.2023

  The Chicago Teachers Union's war on school choice

  The Chicago Teachers Union and other teachers' unions oppose Invest in Kids, a tax-credit scholarship program that allows underprivileged children to attend private schools of their choice. Why would teachers advocate against a program that helps low-income students? Mailee Smith,...

  
• 12.20.2022

  These new laws take effect in Illinois in 2023

  The new year will bring new state laws, many of which passed before lawmakers and the public had time to review them. How will these complex laws change life in Illinois? Joe Tabor, director of policy research at Illinois Policy...

  
• 12.14.2022

  Why it's the perfect time for Illinois to embrace school choice

  The COVID-19 pandemic introduced many Illinois parents to the concept and practice of school choice. What is school choice and why has it become such a politicized issue? Nathan Hoffman, director of state policy and legislative strategy for the American...

  
• 12.07.2022

  How small businesses led Illinois' recovery from covid

  Both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses led Illinois' job growth. What policies can the state adopt to further encourage small-business growth and promote economic vitality in Illinois? Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research at the...

  
• 11.29.2022

  Why you should run for school board in Illinois

  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...

  
• 11.08.2022

  Election Day 101: Understanding the Illinois ballot

  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...

  
• 11.02.2022

  How the 'workers' rights amendment' hurts 93% of Illinois workers

  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...

  
• 10.26.2022

  Debunking the myths behind Illinois' "workers' rights amendment"

  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...

  
• 10.19.2022

  What is the legacy of the Chicago Teachers Union's 2019 strike?

  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...

  
• 10.12.2022

  The $2B small business tax hike on Illinoisans' ballots

  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...

  
• 10.04.2022

  The truth about Illinois' economy

  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...

  
• 09.28.2022

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

  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...

  
• 09.21.2022

  Ep. 54: Is the 'teacher shortage' a myth?

  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...

  
• 09.13.2022

  Ep. 53: Illinois vs. Tennessee: Which state government gets it right?

  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...

  
• 09.07.2022

  Ep. 52: How to find the hidden tax hike on your November ballot

  At the very top of the ballot Nov. 8 is a proposed amendment to be added to the Illinois Constitution. Touted by proponents as a way of helping workers, the truth is the amendment would hike taxes on all Illinoisans...

  
• 08.30.2022

  Ep. 51: What's holding back Illinois jobs recovery?

  Most of the nation has recovered from the pandemic economic downturn, but Illinois hasn’t: the state is still missing nearly 89,000 jobs compared to February 2020. Bryce Hill joins the Policy Shop to talk about what’s affecting Illinois’ job market...

  
• 08.23.2022

  Ep. 50: Why so many parents are leaving Chicago Public Schools

  Chicago Public Schools students and families returned for the 2022-23 school year. But with record low enrollment, one-third of those schools will be half-empty. Mailee Smith joins the Policy Shop to share why militant tactics from the Chicago Teachers Union...

  
• 08.16.2022

  Ep. 49: More union money floods Illinois politics

  Illinois unions members give hundreds of dollars a year to union dues. But most of that money is spent on politics - not representing workers' interests or protecting them. Mailee Smith follows the money. She joins the Policy Shop to...

  
• 08.09.2022

  Ep. 48: The housing market goes bust

  After a few years of homes flying off the market, signs are indicating the market is starting to cool. Is a housing bubble going to burst? Bryce Hill joins the Policy Shop to discuss what’s going on in Illinois' housing...

  
• 08.02.2022

  Ep. 47: Are we in a recession?

  Recession is the buzzword of the week as the economy begins to cool. So, are we in a recession or no? And what does that mean for Illinois? Director of Fiscal and Economic Research Bryce Hill joins the Policy Shop...

  
• 07.27.2022

  Ep. 46: Pritzker for president? w/ Austin Berg

  Speculation is brewing that Gov. Pritzker is testing the waters for a presidential run. What would a Pritzker presidency look like? Let his Illinois record serve as a guide. Austin Berg joins the Policy Shop to talk through Pritzker’s failures...

  
• 07.19.2022

  Ep. 45: The truth about Pritzker and Lightfoot's economic record with Bryce Hill

  Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot are out on national and international tours, respectfully, touting their recent economic wins. But Illinoisans left at home face a dire jobs market: 1 in 6 jobs lost during COVID are still missing in Chicago...

  
• 07.06.2022

  Ep. 44: How Amendment 1 would raise your property taxes with Austin Berg

  Voters will decide the fate of Amendment 1 on Nov. 8; the first time Illinoisans have an opportunity to vote against rising property taxes. Austin Berg joins the Policy Shop to explain why Amendment 1 would cause homeowners to experience...

  
• 06.28.2022

  Ep. 43: Why 3 major companies just fled Illinois with Matt Paprocki

  It was a bad month for big businesses in Illinois as Boeing, Caterpillar and Citadel announced they're moving their headquarters out of Chicago. Illinois Policy Institute President Matt Paprocki joins the Policy Shop to discuss what these businesses' departures mean for...

  
• 06.22.2022

  Ep. 42 Make your vote count with Jim Long

  Voting is the most important action a citizen can take to ensure his or her voice is heard in government. Increased voter turnout is good for our communities - locally and statewide. Jim Long joins the Policy Shop to explain a new initiative...

  
• 06.14.2022

  Ep. 41: Stay & Fight for Illinois with Matt Paprocki

  Illinois has seen hundreds of thousands of residents move away in recent years. Maybe you’ve even wondered whether you should move, too. But nothing is permanent, and Illinois’ people problem is something we can fix. Matt Paprocki joins the Policy...

  
• 06.08.2022

  Ep. 40: What happened after unions locked students out of schools? with Amy Korte

  New numbers on public school enrollment show the more school districts kept students from the classroom and in-person learning, the more those schools saw enrollment decline. Amy Korte joins the Policy Shop to walk through what the numbers show about...

  
• 06.01.2022

  Ep. 39: The truth about Illinois' population with Bryce Hill

  What's the deal with Illinois' population? Are we gaining residents like Gov. Pritzker has recently said or are we losing residents, as has been reported for seven straight years? Bryce Hill joins the Policy Shop to break down the Census...

  
• 05.23.2022

  Ep. 38: The hidden tax: Why inflation is (still) soaring with Bryce Hill

  Inflation is hitting record highs across the nation and higher prices are affecting everyone, everywhere in the country. In Illinois, we face unique challenges, such as multiple layers of taxation that already makes gas costlier than neighboring states. The result...

  
• 05.17.2022

  Ep. 37: Love thy neighbor's taxes with Adam Schuster

  Other states across the country, including many of Illinois' neighbors, have recently cut taxes, often permanently. But Illinois is going the opposite direction, hiking taxes on residents and businesses. Adam Schuster explains why how the state is stuck. Subscribe to...

  
• 05.10.2022

  Ep. 36: Illinois' most competitive election ever with Adam Schuster

  Voters in Illinois may have same-day voter registration and vote-by-mail options, but a form of voter suppression still plagues the state: roughly half of Illinoisans have no choice when it comes to who will represent them in the Statehouse. That's...

  
• 05.03.2022

  Ep 35: Why is tuition going up at Illinois universities? with Adam Schuster

  Tuition at Illinois public universities has skyrocketed over the past 15 years, making college unaffordable for many families. Adam Schuster explains what’s causing this rise and what it means for future students.

  
• 04.26.2022

  Ep. 34: So sue me: Amendment 1 lawsuit with Mailee Smith

  The most important and alarming issue on the Nov. 8 general election ballot is the Workers Rights Amendment, also known as Amendment 1. Mailee Smith breaks down a major lawsuit related to the amendment and what voters need to know...

  
• 04.19.2022

  Ep. 33: Regressive and worsening: The Chicago speed camera story with Adam Schuster

  In 2021, Chicago issued more automatic speeding tickets than there were residents of the city. Why? The city's reliance on nickel-and-dime revenue is pushing bad policy choices that unfairly burden low-income residents. Adam Schuster talks Chicago speed cameras and why...

  
• 04.13.2022

  Ep. 32: End of session roundup w/ Adam Schuster

  Illinois lawmakers pulled an all nighter to adjourn spring legislative session and pass a $46.5 billion budget by 6 a.m. on April 9. What did lawmakers accomplish? Adam Schuster joins the Policy Shop to talk through the line items. From...

  
• 04.05.2022

  Ep. 31: The hot housing market w/ Oprhe Divounguy

  Between historically low interest rates and the pandemic-fueled need for more space, the U.S. housing market has been on fire. Orphe Divounguy joins the Policy Shop to provide an in-depth look at Illinois' real estate market and how it compares...

  
• 03.30.2022

  Ep. 30: Pain in the gas w/ Adam Schuster

  Gas prices are skyrocketing across the country. And while the pain is felt nationwide, gas prices are always worse for Illinoisans, where drivers pay the second-highest gas taxes in the nation. Adam Schuster joins the Policy Shop to breaks down...

  
• 03.22.2022

  Ep. 29: Mike Madigan's downfall and how to fix Illinois corruption with Austin Berg

  Former House Speaker Mike Madigan was the longest serving House Speaker in the nation and at one time the most powerful politician in Illinois. In March, he waas indicted on federal racketeering charges. Fixing Illinois' longstanding history corrupution goes passed...

  
• 03.15.2022

  Ep. 28: Illinois' economy 2 years into COVID-19 with Bryce Hill

  March 12 marked two years since Gov. J.B. Pritzker imposed some of the nation’s strictest COVID-19 mandates, creating uneven rules that favored large over small businesses. Many Illinois business owners had to close shop permanently, while others are finding ways...

  
• 03.08.2022

  Ep. 27: Failure to launch: Small business job creators struggle to grow in Illinois w/ Bryce Hill

  Lots of businesses tried to get started during 2021 in Illinois, but the ones that create jobs had a tough time launching. That’s why Illinois unemployment remains high and salaries depressed during a national labor shortage. Bryce Hill joins the...

  
• 03.01.2022

  Ep. 26: How to avoid a small business tax hike

  The number one fiscal priority for Illinois lawmakers is something most aren’t talking about: refilling the trust fund for unemployment insurance. Otherwise, small businesses face another tax hike after a grueling two years in which many businesses struggled and failed....

  
• 02.23.2022

  Ep. 25: 700 days under Pritzker’s emergency powers

  Guest: Mailee Smith

  
• 02.22.2022

  Ep. 25: 700 days under Pritzker’s emergency powers

  On Monday, Feb. 28, Illinois’ mask mandate will end. Pritzker exempted schools from that end date, but legislators and the courts have stepped in, effectively ending the school mask mandate. One thing that won’t end? The governor’s one-man executive authority.

  
• 02.16.2022

  Ep. 24: Property tax pain gets worse in Chicago with Orphe Divounguy

  Guest: Orphe Divounguy

  
• 02.15.2022

  Ep. 24: Property tax pain gets worse in Chicago with Orphe Divounguy

  Chicago property taxes nearly doubled over the past decade. This hurts homeowners and renters alike, as rents in Chicago have increased by 8.5%. What’s driving the problem (public pensions) and how do we fix it? Orphe Divounguy joins The Policy...

  
• 02.08.2022

  Ep. 23: An economist’s perspective: How’s Illinois’ economy really doing?

  Guest: Dr. Orphe Divounguy

  
• 02.01.2022

  Ep. 22: How do we fix the broken state budget …for real? with Adam Schuster

  Guest: Adam Schuster

  
• 01.25.2022

  Ep. 21: Incremental pension reform with Adam Schuster

  Guest: Adam Schuster

  
• 01.19.2022

  Ep. 20: The Illinois exodus with Bryce Hill

  Guest: Bryce Hill