Lake County village rejects sales tax referendum
Lake County village rejects sales tax referendum
A proposed 1 percent sales tax would have increased the village of Barrington’s sales tax burden to among the highest in the nation.
Voted for Kodos
Voted for Kodos
Union dues at work: AFSCME gives $1.4 million to Madigan
Union dues at work: AFSCME gives $1.4 million to Madigan
State records show AFSCME has funneled at least $1.4 million to Michael Madigan and Madigan-controlled committees in the past five years – including at least $823,200 just this year.
Jackie Reed
Jackie Reed
“I’ve seen a mass exodus. I’ve been a realtor for 24 years, on average selling 40 to 50 homes a year. I usually had my sellers call me because they wanted to move to a new house [in Illinois]. Now, instead, they call and say, ‘We’re done, the taxes are too high. Too much corruption.’...
58 former Illinois state lawmakers collecting six-figure pensions
58 former Illinois state lawmakers collecting six-figure pensions
Former lawmakers receive generous benefits from the state’s worst-run retirement fund.
Nearly 80 percent of Alton property tax levy consumed by pensions
Nearly 80 percent of Alton property tax levy consumed by pensions
The share of Alton’s annual property tax levy going to pension payments has more than doubled over the past decade.
William Gee
William Gee
“My parents saw a future in this town. “For 40 years, we paid our dues in taxes, property taxes. We’ve created value. Everybody’s brother and sister has worked for us locally. For most of them, it’s their first job. “Good times, hard times, we went through it all. We actually helped the village. My parents...
Taxpayer tab totals $98M to keep southwestern Illinois airport open
Taxpayer tab totals $98M to keep southwestern Illinois airport open
Local leaders say more passengers will reduce the need for taxpayer money at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. But as traffic rises, so too has the tab for St. Clair County taxpayers.
Illinois teacher pension fund requests $400M in additional taxpayer contributions
Illinois teacher pension fund requests $400M in additional taxpayer contributions
The pension fund’s request for $4.8 billion in taxpayer contributions for the next budget year, a 10 percent increase from the previous year, highlights the need for pension reform in Illinois.
Pension funds’ rosy projections spell trouble for Illinois taxpayers
Pension funds’ rosy projections spell trouble for Illinois taxpayers
Overly optimistic expectations about investment returns mean Illinois is understating its pension debt. That could lead to a nasty surprise for future taxpayers.
Illinois’ private sector jobs growth among worst in the nation since 2017 tax hike
Illinois’ private sector jobs growth among worst in the nation since 2017 tax hike
Jobs growth in Illinois has gone from middle of the pack to back of the line.
Sinkhole city: Financial watchdog again gives Chicago an ‘F’ in finances
Sinkhole city: Financial watchdog again gives Chicago an ‘F’ in finances
An annual analysis of Chicago’s finances finds the city’s debt burden continues to weigh heavily on the shoulders of taxpayers.
Highest paid superintendent in Illinois history fired for ‘pay padding’
Highest paid superintendent in Illinois history fired for ‘pay padding’
Following an investigation into allegations of “pay padding,” among other offenses, Calumet school district board members dismissed Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent less than a week before retirement.
Nearly half of Illinois House candidates face no opponent
Nearly half of Illinois House candidates face no opponent
House Speaker Mike Madigan has drawn Illinois’ legislative maps for three of the past four decades.