Lawmakers push DoorDash, Uber Eats delivery tax statewide for Chicago transit
Lawmakers push DoorDash, Uber Eats delivery tax statewide for Chicago transit
Lawmakers may approve a statewide delivery tax on Doordash and Uber Eats to fund Chicago transit, hitting all Illinoisans who shop online, even those who don’t use CTA, Metra or Pace.
By LyLena Estabine
Chicago park pension remains underfunded despite reforms
Chicago park pension remains underfunded despite reforms
Despite a 2021 law meant to improve the funding ratio of Chicago’s park pension, the amount of money the system has on hand to pay out benefits remains low.
By LyLena Estabine
Chicago Teachers Union dues support 54 bosses making over $100K
Chicago Teachers Union dues support 54 bosses making over $100K
Chicago Teachers Union bosses make a lot more than members. Little of members’ dues pay for representation. See who makes what, here.
By Mailee Smith
CTA proposes first fare hike in seven years: here’s by how much
CTA proposes first fare hike in seven years: here’s by how much
The Chicago Transit Authority’s 2026 budget includes scenarios dependent on state funding along with a 25-cent fare hike on bus and rail.
By Ravi Mishra
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 budget targets social media, corporate “head tax”
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 budget targets social media, corporate “head tax”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 budget proposal includes a per-user tax on social media companies and a per-employee fee on businesses. The proposal does not include a property tax hike and supports the elimination of the grocery tax.
By Dylan Sharkey
Unused office space could mean more Chicago housing
Unused office space could mean more Chicago housing
New York City has seen success in converting office space into residences. Chicago should do the same.
By LyLena Estabine
Massive property tax hikes hurt Chicago’s low-income families
Massive property tax hikes hurt Chicago’s low-income families
Chicago homeowners on the South and West Sides are bracing for huge property tax hikes, driven by surging assessments and government spending tied to pensions.
By LyLena Estabine
DoorDash, Uber, Ticketmaster and toll road hikes: $1.5 billion in potential taxes explained
DoorDash, Uber, Ticketmaster and toll road hikes: $1.5 billion in potential taxes explained
Prices for DoorDash, Uber, Ticketmaster and Illinois tolls might go up now to cover $1.5 billion for Illinois transit agencies. A real estate transfer tax for homes in the Chicago suburbs is also on the table.
By Ravi Mishra
Vallas: How to improve Chicago’s billion-dollar transit crisis
Vallas: How to improve Chicago’s billion-dollar transit crisis
Chicago Transit Authority ridership is still below pre-pandemic levels. Crime and a budget shortfall make matters worse, but there are cost-effective ways to make it safer.
By Paul Vallas
Stacy Davis Gates makes over $273,000 but doesn’t pay her water bills
Stacy Davis Gates makes over $273,000 but doesn’t pay her water bills
The Chicago Teachers Union president demands the “wealthy” pay their fair share but doesn’t apply that same principle to herself.
By Mailee Smith
CTA violent crime nears decade high as feds threaten funding cuts
CTA violent crime nears decade high as feds threaten funding cuts
Chicago Transit Authority violent crime hit its second-highest level since 2015, while the arrest rate dropped. CTA crime is threatening federal funding.
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois municipal pensions solid. State pensions melting.
Illinois municipal pensions solid. State pensions melting.
The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund reported a 95.8% funded ratio for 2024. Other Illinois plans would benefit from following its practices.
By LyLena Estabine
Illinois checks, balances? Not under Pritzker
Illinois checks, balances? Not under Pritzker
As veto session begins and power goes back to the Democratic majority state legislature, the consequences of a single-party state are more evident than ever.
By Lilly Rossi