Cook County sends property tax bills by Thanksgiving, due after Christmas
Cook County sends property tax bills by Thanksgiving, due after Christmas
Happy holidays, Cook County homeowners. The second installment of your property tax bills will arrive around Thanksgiving. They won’t be due until after Christmas but before New Year’s.
By Patrick Andriesen
Nearly half of Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost jobs in August
Nearly half of Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost jobs in August
The latest job numbers show Illinois continues struggling to recover pandemic job losses, a bad sign for its lagging economy as recession fears rise.
By Jordan Carlson
Southern Illinois taxpayers spend $124.5M since 2002 to keep airport open
Southern Illinois taxpayers spend $124.5M since 2002 to keep airport open
An underused airport near Belleville, Illinois, has required local taxpayers to chip in $124.5 million since 2002 to keep it operating.
By Brad Weisenstein
Fact check: Homeowners worse off under Pritzker
Fact check: Homeowners worse off under Pritzker
Gov. J.B. Pritzker stressed the importance of homeownership in Illinois. Under his administration, homeowners have seen their property taxes grow by $2,288.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois to legalize internet gambling, executives predict
Illinois to legalize internet gambling, executives predict
A new report predicts legalized internet gambling would generate $273.3 million a year in new revenue for Illinois. A safer bet for Illinois’ state workers would be constitutional pension reform.
By Patrick Andriesen
Union member: Amendment 1 works against union interests
Union member: Amendment 1 works against union interests
A union member argues both government union members and taxpayers lose if Amendment 1 passes Nov. 8. He’s against it.
High inflation could lead to property tax hikes in Illinois
High inflation could lead to property tax hikes in Illinois
Decades-high inflation means local governments can easily raise Illinoisans’ property taxes by 5% during the next year. That makes it an especially bad time to compound the property tax hike with Amendment 1.
By Patrick Andriesen
Illinois Supreme Court rejects back pay for former state lawmakers
Illinois Supreme Court rejects back pay for former state lawmakers
In a unanimous decision, the Illinois Supreme Court denied a lawsuit by two former state senators seeking back pay. The senators bragged about voting against the raises, then decided they deserved them after leaving office.
By Dylan Sharkey
Cook County ends $80 ‘wheel tax’ for 50,000 drivers
Cook County ends $80 ‘wheel tax’ for 50,000 drivers
The Cook County Board voted unanimously to repeal the sticker mandate on drivers living in unincorporated Cook County starting in 2023. Drivers will save at least $80 a year.
By Patrick Andriesen
Pritzker tells 2 state senators to resign after corruption allegations
Pritzker tells 2 state senators to resign after corruption allegations
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is demanding resignations from two longtime Democratic state senators. One faces federal bribery charges in connection with red-light cameras. The other allegations of domestic abuse and harassment of a top staffer.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago school enrollment declines for 11th year
Chicago school enrollment declines for 11th year
A total of 82,000 fewer students attend Chicago Public Schools than a decade ago. Chicago Teachers Union President Stacey Davis Gates blames the city for more than a decade of declining enrollment.
By Dylan Sharkey
What does Amendment 1 look like on Nov. 8 ballot?
What does Amendment 1 look like on Nov. 8 ballot?
The constitutional amendment question at the top of the ballot may not include the words “Workers’ Rights Amendment” or even “Amendment 1.” So what will it say?
By Joe Tabor