Chicago property taxes have doubled in 10 years, thanks to pensions
Chicago property taxes have doubled in 10 years, thanks to pensions
Chicago’s government pension obligations have increased nearly sixfold since 2014, driving up Chicago’s sky-high property taxes. Another increase for 2025 was likely avoided, but city leaders need state lawmakers to make a permanent fix.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois state pension debt climbs to $144B
Illinois state pension debt climbs to $144B
Illinois' unfunded statewide public pension liabilities grew another $1.5 billion in the past year. Better investment returns couldn’t keep up with public worker pensions growing faster than projected.
By LyLena Estabine
Record-setting holiday season expecting nearly 120M travelers
Record-setting holiday season expecting nearly 120M travelers
AAA estimates nearly 120 million people will travel 50 miles or more this holiday season. Most of those will travel by car, so Illinois’ gas taxes will make it an expensive ride for them.
By Dylan Sharkey
Brandi Lentz
Brandi Lentz
“My husband and I own a couple hundred acres. When I heard about the tax on wooded acreage going up, I emailed the assessor. My previous tax bill was $756. I found out that was going to go up over $10,000.” “What I’ve learned from [state Rep. Wayne] Rosenthal is that when this law passed...
Homer Township lets voters weigh in on pension reform, key issues
Homer Township lets voters weigh in on pension reform, key issues
Voters in Homer Township will have the chance to weigh in on public pension reform, federal and state redistricting and unfunded state mandates. Illinois state lawmakers have yet to act on the trio of issues.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago leaders can still fix runaway budget, tax hikes
Chicago leaders can still fix runaway budget, tax hikes
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson failed to rally the votes for a record $17.3 billion budget imposing $68.5 million in property tax hikes. City leaders have another chance to fix the budget. Here’s how they can do it.
By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar
Rafael Leon
Rafael Leon
The Chicago Metropolitan Housing Development Corp. started in 1982 as a government agency. Rafael Leon stepped in and restructured it as a non-profit in the mid-1990s. It is now independent of the government and provides low-income housing in parts of Chicago that other non-profit housing entities often overlook. “We’re not associated with the Chicago Housing...
Nearly $50K property tax bills robs ‘Home Alone’ house
Nearly $50K property tax bills robs ‘Home Alone’ house
The current owners of Kevin McCallister’s house from the “Home Alone” movie will pay nearly $50,000 in property taxes this year. Illinoisans pay more than twice as much as the typical American in property taxes.
By Patrick Andriesen
4 things wrong with how Illinois leaders want to change public schooling
4 things wrong with how Illinois leaders want to change public schooling
A report outlining public education reform in Illinois doesn’t address a core issue facing students: reading proficiency. It also lowers standards for students and threatens to muddle the understanding of students’ progress.
By Hannah Schmid
Chicago mayor spends $700K per ‘affordable’ apartment unit
Chicago mayor spends $700K per ‘affordable’ apartment unit
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first effort at building “affordable” housing is costing nearly $700,000 per unit. Similar units in the same area cost $126,583.
By Patrick Andriesen
Tom Sanderson
Tom Sanderson
“Sept. 19, I had to work late. And along the way back to my parking garage at Wells and Madison, I stopped at a 7-Eleven.” “There’s a guy on the ground there, panhandling. He asked me to get something for him and I said, ‘Sorry, I don’t have anything for you.’” “As I came back...
Johnson proposes 11 tax and fee hikes totaling $234M
Johnson proposes 11 tax and fee hikes totaling $234M
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget includes $233.9 million in tax hikes including rideshare prices and streaming services. It has already passed a key committee in the city council.
By Dylan Sharkey
Studies: Cook County No. 6 ‘judicial hellhole,’ lawsuit abuse costs each Illinois family $4,281
Studies: Cook County No. 6 ‘judicial hellhole,’ lawsuit abuse costs each Illinois family $4,281
Jackpot justice in Illinois recently drew the ire of two national groups. Cook County was labeled a leading “judicial hellhole.” Lawsuit abuse imposes a $4,281 cost on each Illinois household. State lawmakers, trial lawyers and plaintiff-friendly courts are to blame.
By Jerry Barmore
Exclude staff costs, Chicago spending still spiked $3.6B in just 6 years
Exclude staff costs, Chicago spending still spiked $3.6B in just 6 years
Chicago’s 2025 budget is facing a nearly $1 billion gap. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to close it: increase taxes. The city’s rising non-personnel costs, now at $6.6 billion, will outpace its grant funding, squeeze taxpayers and increase regressive fees.
By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar