Bourbonnais union strikes; claims to fight for students ‘out on the picket line’
Bourbonnais union strikes; claims to fight for students ‘out on the picket line’
A disagreement over final contract details caused the teachers union to strike in Bourbonnais, putting 2,452 elementary students out of class.
By Brad Weisenstein
Lake County looks at 4-cent gas tax hike using law that doubled state gas tax
Lake County looks at 4-cent gas tax hike using law that doubled state gas tax
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker approved doubling the state gas tax in 2019 and gave some counties and Chicago the power to hike local gas taxes. Lake County is the latest to consider doing so.
By Patrick Andriesen
Moody’s report: Illinois pension debt reaches record-high $317 billion
Moody’s report: Illinois pension debt reaches record-high $317 billion
Illinois worst-in-the-nation public pension debt grew 19% year over year. It will continue hurting the state economy and job growth, driving more people out of Illinois, unless there are reforms.
By Adam Schuster
Illinois corruption reforms gain momentum with Madigan gone
Illinois corruption reforms gain momentum with Madigan gone
With Mike Madigan out as Illinois House speaker, state lawmakers have a unique opportunity to turn around the second-most corrupt state in the country. Ethics proposals are gaining support.
By Joe Tabor
Another bump up for Illinois’ new unemployment claims
Another bump up for Illinois’ new unemployment claims
Illinois saw new unemployment claims rise for a third week, even as nearly 3 million COVID-19 vaccinations have been given to Illinoisans.
By Brad Weisenstein
Illinois again ranks No. 2 in U.S. for highest property taxes
Illinois again ranks No. 2 in U.S. for highest property taxes
Illinois again ranked second for highest property tax rates in the nation in 2021, behind only New Jersey. Illinois homeowners average $4,942 in property taxes on the U.S. median valued home of $217,500 – exactly double the national average. That’s a tax each year of 2.27% of the house value, according to the 2021 state...
By Lisa Rigoni
Chicago speed cameras write 1 ticket every 12 seconds
Chicago speed cameras write 1 ticket every 12 seconds
Revenue projections estimate red-light cameras will generate 2.7 million $35 tickets in a full year, bringing in $95.5 million for the city.
By Patrick Andriesen
Speaker Welch says Illinois’ financial disclosure forms are ‘worthless’
Speaker Welch says Illinois’ financial disclosure forms are ‘worthless’
The new speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives referred to state lawmakers’ statements of economic interest forms as confusing and a ‘worthless piece of document.’ They can be fixed.
By Joe Tabor
Hidden pension ‘tax’ costs each Illinoisan more than $1,400 per year
Hidden pension ‘tax’ costs each Illinoisan more than $1,400 per year
Illinoisans pay a hidden pension tax. Eliminating that cost would free up resources to help Illinois recover from the COVID-19 recession while also raising the state’s long-term economic potential.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill
Flat education spending is a cut when pensions, administration take more
Flat education spending is a cut when pensions, administration take more
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans another year of flat education spending. The reality is the cash reaching classrooms is dwindling as pensions and administration eat more.
By Ann Miller
Chicago’s higher property taxes hit March 2
Chicago’s higher property taxes hit March 2
Cook County’s first property tax payments are due March 2. In Chicago, property taxes have grown more than 3 times faster than inflation for 20 years.
By Brad Weisenstein
Chicago’s speed cameras start churning out $35 tickets March 1
Chicago’s speed cameras start churning out $35 tickets March 1
Chicago’s mayor said speed cameras will enforce a lowered tolerance March 1 as a way to curb traffic fatalities. Critics see the $35 tickets as a money grab when residents are still reeling from the COVID-19 economic downturn.
By Patrick Andriesen