Candidate survey: who is running for Chicago School Board?
Candidate survey: who is running for Chicago School Board?
More than a dozen candidates filled out an Illinois Policy questionnaire to give voters a better idea of who is running for office. Read their answers below.
Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget breaks property tax promise
Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget breaks property tax promise
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered his 2025 budget Oct. 30, including a nearly $1 billion deficit, runaway spending and low revenues that have him breaking his campaign promise not to raise property taxes.
By Lauren Zuar, Ravi Mishra
Unemployment high in 13 of 15 Illinois metro job markets
Unemployment high in 13 of 15 Illinois metro job markets
The statewide Illinois job market outpaced the national average. But 13 of 15 metro areas continued to have higher unemployment rates than the U.S. average.
By Ravi Mishra
Argie Karafotias
Argie Karafotias
Argie Karafotias’ business is his American Dream come true. It survived the pandemic downturn thanks to strong community support. He was asked about the advisory question on the Nov. 5 ballot, which proposes property tax relief in exchange for a 3% tax hike on millionaires. “Before we ask the question of raising taxes, I think...
Illinois schools see small academic gains, but still need improvement
Illinois schools see small academic gains, but still need improvement
New Illinois public school test data shows reading and math proficiency rates for third- through eighth-grade students increased since 2023. Not so for 11th graders, who performed worse in reading and math.
By Hannah Schmid
Another Illinois town has passed a grocery tax. Is yours next?
Another Illinois town has passed a grocery tax. Is yours next?
Another Illinois town voted to pass a local grocery tax. See how much grocery shoppers in your community could lose if your local leaders also impose the tax.
By Dylan Sharkey
3 ways a ‘millionaire tax’ would hurt Illinois
3 ways a ‘millionaire tax’ would hurt Illinois
Illinois voters on Nov. 5 will be asked whether they favor a “millionaire tax.” Here are three things to know about it: the tax can be easily avoided, it fails to provide stable revenue and it discourages or limits economic growth.
By Matheus Cosso
Illinois pension crisis would devour ‘millionaire tax’
Illinois pension crisis would devour ‘millionaire tax’
Illinois needs to spend $4.9 billion more annually to pay for pensions, but the “millionaire tax” would only raise an estimated $3-$4.3 billion. That’s too little for the pension bills and would leave nothing for property tax relief.
By Bryce Hill
Tax question on November ballot could open door for retirement tax
Tax question on November ballot could open door for retirement tax
Implementing the “millionaire” tax would give lawmakers the power to tax retirement income. Every state with a progressive tax also taxes retirement income.
By Patrick Andriesen
Curfews, fines: Beware Illinois communities’ trick-or-treat laws
Curfews, fines: Beware Illinois communities’ trick-or-treat laws
Some Illinois communities see regulating any mischief on Halloween as a real treat. One town fines trick-or-treaters up to $750 if they don’t know the Halloween laws.
By Jerry Barmore
‘Millionaire tax’ could push Illinois corporate income tax to highest in U.S.
‘Millionaire tax’ could push Illinois corporate income tax to highest in U.S.
A push to raise Illinois’ income tax may create the most extreme business income tax rate in the nation. “Millionaire tax” could hurt jobs in a state already struggling.
By Bryce Hill
See if your state lawmaker took Chicago Teachers Union money
See if your state lawmaker took Chicago Teachers Union money
The Chicago Teachers Union has spent nearly $1.3 million on campaign donations in an effort to influence what happens in the Illinois General Assembly. See if your state lawmakers accepted money from the CTU.
By Brad Weisenstein
‘Millionaire tax’ proposal would hike income tax rates by 62% for nearly 24,000 small businesses
‘Millionaire tax’ proposal would hike income tax rates by 62% for nearly 24,000 small businesses
Combined state and federal income taxes would have small businesses pay more than 50% of their top-end income in taxes.
By Bryce Hill