Of the nation’s 10 largest metro areas, only Chicago saw population loss in 2017
Of the nation’s 10 largest metro areas, only Chicago saw population loss in 2017
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area witnessed population decline over the year, as did nearly every other metro area in Illinois.
By Austin Berg
More than 80 percent of Illinois counties saw population loss in 2017
More than 80 percent of Illinois counties saw population loss in 2017
As outmigration fuels population decline throughout the state, Cook County saw the largest numeric population loss of any county in the nation.
By Bryce Hill, Austin Berg
DuPage County votes ‘yes’ to consolidate rare unit of local government
DuPage County votes ‘yes’ to consolidate rare unit of local government
The nonbinding referendum to merge DuPage County’s election commission with the clerk’s office won by more than 17,000 votes.
By Brendan Bakala
Decatur city manager to outearn nearly every state governor following salary increase
Decatur city manager to outearn nearly every state governor following salary increase
Decatur’s population is shrinking, but earnings for the city manager continue to grow.
By Vincent Caruso
Rich Ayers
Rich Ayers
“At two points in my life I was required to pay union dues to stay employed. “It’s been almost 25 years since I’ve been [retired from the police force]. My sense is the union is more political now. “My police union first started in the early ‘70s, late ‘60s. They came in with their organizing...
Amazon scouts to visit Chicago for headquarters bid
Amazon scouts to visit Chicago for headquarters bid
Amazon’s team will visit 10 proposed sites in Chicago for its second North American headquarters.
By Brendan Bakala
Typical collar county family would pay as much as $1,000 in additional taxes under progressive tax proposal
Typical collar county family would pay as much as $1,000 in additional taxes under progressive tax proposal
A progressive tax proposal in the Illinois House would raise taxes on an overwhelming majority of families already struggling with some of the highest tax burdens in the nation.
Alton voters to decide on sales tax hike at the ballot box
Alton voters to decide on sales tax hike at the ballot box
Madison County voters have rejected a proposed 1 percent sales tax hike twice before. Will the third time be a charm?
By Amanda McDonald
Lake Forest city manager outearns all 50 state governors
Lake Forest city manager outearns all 50 state governors
In Illinois, hundreds of municipal workers earn more than every state governor. The city manager of Lake Forest is the second-highest paid city manager in the state.
By Vincent Caruso
Typical family in Rock Island County would see $513 tax hike under progressive tax proposal
Typical family in Rock Island County would see $513 tax hike under progressive tax proposal
The Illinois side of the Quad Cities is already seeing population loss as residents pack up and leave high tax burdens behind.
By Austin Berg
DuPage County voters to decide on merger between clerk’s office and election commission
DuPage County voters to decide on merger between clerk’s office and election commission
The nonbinding, advisory referendum seeks to gauge support of merging two DuPage County offices.
By Brendan Bakala
Your office March Madness pool is illegal, but these bills could change that
Your office March Madness pool is illegal, but these bills could change that
The illicit practice of gambling on sports in Illinois is enormously popular – and that might help spur change.
By Vincent Caruso
Report: $800M of property tax burden in Chicago shifted onto poorer homeowners from 2011-2015
Report: $800M of property tax burden in Chicago shifted onto poorer homeowners from 2011-2015
University of Chicago researchers have found inaccurate and unfair assessments by the Cook County Assessor’s Office led to $800 million of the property tax burden shifting from owners of Chicago homes in the top 10 percent (by sale price) to owners of homes in the bottom 70 percent.
By Amy Korte