Madison County makes history with generous taxpayer support of museum
Madison County makes history with generous taxpayer support of museum
Most county historical societies in Illinois rely on donations and memberships, but the Madison County Historical Society receives a generous infusion of tax dollars to run its museum and library. County leaders just cut the total, but why do they provide taxpayer support at all?
By Brad Weisenstein
Highland Park to hike property tax levy nearly $1M to pay for pensions
Highland Park to hike property tax levy nearly $1M to pay for pensions
Citing public safety pension costs, the city is expected to approve another increase to its property tax levy.
Illinois Supreme Court defends inflated pensions for Chicago union leaders
Illinois Supreme Court defends inflated pensions for Chicago union leaders
Once again proving why the state must amend the Illinois Constitution’s pension clause, the court unanimously ruled in favor of a special perk that inflated union leader pensions to nearly three times the pension of the average worker.
By Adam Schuster
Chicago to state lawmakers: ‘Seize the opportunity’ for gas tax hike
Chicago to state lawmakers: ‘Seize the opportunity’ for gas tax hike
Outgoing Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration is looking to make inroads on an increase in Illinois’ gas tax.
By Vincent Caruso
Marijuana convictions soon might come off Illinois criminal records
Marijuana convictions soon might come off Illinois criminal records
Illinoisans convicted of possession of cannabis prior to the state’s 2016 decriminalization law could see those crimes expunged under a bill passed by the Illinois House.
By Vincent Caruso
Bipartisan township consolidation bill heads to governor’s desk
Bipartisan township consolidation bill heads to governor’s desk
The bill would make it easier for McHenry County residents to dissolve the county’s 17 townships at the ballot box – and find tax relief through cost savings.
By Vincent Caruso
Geneseo hikes property taxes by 10 percent to pay for pensions
Geneseo hikes property taxes by 10 percent to pay for pensions
The city of Geneseo hiked its property tax levy by nearly 10 percent to pay for police pensions.
By Janelle Cammenga
FBI raids office of powerful Chicago Ald. Ed Burke
FBI raids office of powerful Chicago Ald. Ed Burke
Burke has served on the Chicago City Council for nearly 50 years, and has long been the subject of ethical complaints from government watchdogs.
By Austin Berg
Coalition kicks cronies in Springfield showdown over car-sharing
Coalition kicks cronies in Springfield showdown over car-sharing
The car-sharing victory is real business friendliness. And that means Illinoisans – whether or not they ever rent their car through an app – have cause for a little celebration.
By Austin Berg
Illinois keeps 18 as legal age to buy smokes
Illinois keeps 18 as legal age to buy smokes
After narrowly clearing the Senate, the Illinois House of Representatives failed to override Gov. Rauner’s veto of a bill to make 21 the legal age to buy tobacco.
Illinois passes state law giving pension boost to one Chicago alderman
Illinois passes state law giving pension boost to one Chicago alderman
State lawmakers overrode Gov. Rauner’s veto of a bill that allows one former firefighter serving as a Chicago alderman to credit his political salary toward a more lucrative fire pension. The pension boost will also apply to future aldermen with a history of fire department work.
By Vincent Caruso
Norridge hikes property taxes by more than 35 percent to pay for pensions
Norridge hikes property taxes by more than 35 percent to pay for pensions
Pressured by police pension costs, Norridge trustees voted to hike the village’s property tax levy by more than 35 percent.
By Vincent Caruso
House passes pension boost bill for one Chicago alderman
House passes pension boost bill for one Chicago alderman
Illinois House members voted to override Gov. Rauner’s veto of a bill that would allow a former firefighter serving as a Chicago aldermen to credit his political salary toward a more lucrative fire pension. While just one alderman now qualifies, the bill could extend the perk to more in the future.
By Vincent Caruso