Architect of Illinois gas tax hike accused of ‘racketeering conspiracy’
Architect of Illinois gas tax hike accused of ‘racketeering conspiracy’
The lawmaker who carried to the governor’s desk an infrastructure plan that doubled the state’s gas tax used his influence as a powerful state lawmaker to land his son a government job, a lawsuit alleges.
By Vincent Caruso
More than 1 in 5 joint filers in southern Naperville, Aurora would see income tax hike if voters approve Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’
More than 1 in 5 joint filers in southern Naperville, Aurora would see income tax hike if voters approve Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’
Voters statewide will decide whether nearly 2,300 southern Naperville and Aurora taxpayers should send $30 million in additional income taxes to Springfield.
By Bryce Hill, Chena Underhill
Chicago Teachers Union votes to strike for third time in 7 years
Chicago Teachers Union votes to strike for third time in 7 years
After rejecting an offer based on the recommendations of a neutral third-party report, Illinois’ largest teachers union voted to walk out on their students as soon as Oct. 7.
By Mailee Smith
Chicago eliminates library late fees, forgives outstanding debt
Chicago eliminates library late fees, forgives outstanding debt
Chicago Public Library is now the largest public library system in the nation to stop penalizing residents for overdue library books.
FBI, IRS continue raids by targeting 3 village offices in Cook County
FBI, IRS continue raids by targeting 3 village offices in Cook County
Federal agents raided the offices of three suburban villages, including one governed by a mayor who doubles as a Cook County commissioner. All three are in the district of state Sen. Martin Sandoval, also the subject of a federal raid.
By Vincent Caruso
CTU votes to authorize strike: 6 things you need to know
CTU votes to authorize strike: 6 things you need to know
Members of the Chicago Teachers Union have voted to authorize a strike, which could come as early as Oct. 7. Here are six things you should know.
By Mailee Smith
Peotone airport gains in new state budget, but history shows taxpayers lose
Peotone airport gains in new state budget, but history shows taxpayers lose
Funding for a third Chicagoland airport was included in the latest state budget. The controversial plan brings a risk for more corruption and overspending that will cost taxpayers millions.
Was corruption at the heart of Illinois’ gas tax hike?
Was corruption at the heart of Illinois’ gas tax hike?
The target, state Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, is as clouted as they come.
By Austin Berg
Illinois House bills would reverse Pritzker’s car trade-in tax
Illinois House bills would reverse Pritzker’s car trade-in tax
A pair of proposals recently filed by state lawmakers would kill the vehicle trade-in sales tax before it kicks into gear at the start of 2020.
By Vincent Caruso
Sangamon County home values down 7%, property taxes up 14% since recession
Sangamon County home values down 7%, property taxes up 14% since recession
Without true pension reform, Sangamon County homeowners will only continue to see the gap between their property taxes and home values grow.
By Brad Weisenstein
CTU’s mayoral candidate lost, and now it won’t deal with the winner
CTU’s mayoral candidate lost, and now it won’t deal with the winner
Chicago Teachers Union backed Toni Preckwinkle for mayor of Chicago, donating nearly $300,000 to her campaign in 2019. But Lori Lightfoot won – and now CTU is threatening to go on strike despite being offered a generous deal.
By Mailee Smith
Watchdog: Illinois fiscal health 2nd worst in nation
Watchdog: Illinois fiscal health 2nd worst in nation
Illinois politicians have too often ignored the necessity of true pension reform and instead opted for tax hikes.