Katie Vandenberg
Katie Vandenberg
"Peoria created an annual pension fee. Homeowners might pay $30-40 annually while commercial owners or landlords might pay $150-250."
Vicki Granacki
Vicki Granacki
“I have good relationships with my tenants, so I do everything I can to help them. My husband and I hoped to pass the building on to our son, yet these taxes put business and property owners in a tough spot.”
Illinois state lawmakers get a little more ethical, but a lot more is needed
Illinois state lawmakers get a little more ethical, but a lot more is needed
The new Illinois ethics law brings a little change to the nation’s second-most corrupt state, but what is needed are the stronger reforms lawmakers promised after ousting scandal-plagued former House Speaker Mike Madigan.
Lightfoot lets Chicago workers out of vaccine mandate if they pay to get tested until 2022
Lightfoot lets Chicago workers out of vaccine mandate if they pay to get tested until 2022
Unvaccinated Chicago city employees must be tested twice a week, at their own expense, to avoid losing their paychecks.
Ep. 7: Fact-checking Chicago’s budget with Adam Schuster
Ep. 7: Fact-checking Chicago’s budget with Adam Schuster
Guest: Adam Schuster
Pritzker says continued COVID decline could end his mask mandate
Pritzker says continued COVID decline could end his mask mandate
Gov. J.B. Pritzker hinted Illinoisans could see indoor mask mandates lifted if state coronavirus transmissions continue to fall. He wouldn’t give a specific target.
Chicago may hand $500 monthly for a year to 5,000 low-income families
Chicago may hand $500 monthly for a year to 5,000 low-income families
Chicago might spend $32 million on the nation’s largest test of universal basic income. What happens after that year is one question, as is whether handing out cash will truly fix anything.
Updated ISBE policy puts private schools on probation for defying mask mandates instead of immediately revoking state recognition
Updated ISBE policy puts private schools on probation for defying mask mandates instead of immediately revoking state recognition
Private schools will be granted a 60-day probation to address COVID-19 compliance issues in line with public school standards under ISBE’s updated policy. Nonrecognized schools were put on probation status Oct. 1.
Pritzker’s covid goalposts
Pritzker’s covid goalposts
Illinois’ racial employment gap is double U.S. average
Illinois’ racial employment gap is double U.S. average
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced his reelection bid on July 19 with the key pillar of his campaign being his record on “protecting the lives and livelihoods of the people of Illinois.” Look at the “livelihoods” in Illinois, and that quickly looks like a poor campaign decision.
Ep. 6: Why are Illinois property taxes so high? Featuring Adam Schuster
Ep. 6: Why are Illinois property taxes so high? Featuring Adam Schuster
Guest: Adam Schuster
Amendment 1 would take away taxpayers’ voice in state government
Amendment 1 would take away taxpayers’ voice in state government
The proposed constitutional amendment would put union contracts above the interests of future taxpayers and voters
Illinois schools outspend, underperform neighbors
Illinois schools outspend, underperform neighbors
Illinois test scores lag nearby states as administrative bloat keeps money from classrooms
Illinois aims to put 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030
Illinois aims to put 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030
The state’s newly adopted clean energy policy adds new incentives for electric vehicles and charging stations for buyers and manufacturers.