Pensions make Illinois property taxes among nation’s most painful
Pensions make Illinois property taxes among nation’s most painful
Any meaningful property tax relief for Illinoisans means reforming Illinois’ unsustainable public pension system.
Belleville spent more than $2.5M on workers’ comp settlements in less than 5 years
Belleville spent more than $2.5M on workers’ comp settlements in less than 5 years
While a few payouts were the result of severe injuries, local taxpayers were also on the hook for settlements with workers who returned to work the very next day.
Illinois metro areas gain 14,200 jobs in June
Illinois metro areas gain 14,200 jobs in June
While a majority of Illinois metro areas experienced expanding payrolls in June, the state still lags the nation in post-recession jobs growth.
Chicago-area water district official resigns without explanation, collects $95K severance package
Chicago-area water district official resigns without explanation, collects $95K severance package
David St. Pierre is the latest Illinois government employee to receive a generous severance package, despite leaving under questionable circumstances.
Nearly a third of property tax revenue in Chicago is diverted into 143 TIF districts
Nearly a third of property tax revenue in Chicago is diverted into 143 TIF districts
Nearly a third of property tax revenue in Chicago is diverted into 143 TIF districts controlled by the mayor, nearly half of which are located in affluent neighborhoods.
Settlement deal helps prevent parents’ nightmares from coming true
Settlement deal helps prevent parents’ nightmares from coming true
Vague, arbitrary and overly protective rules, like we see often in Illinois, don’t do anyone any favors.
Local government workers in Rock Island County take home 6-figure pensions
Local government workers in Rock Island County take home 6-figure pensions
Seven former local officials across Rock Island County are taking home pensions in excess of $100,000 a year. And nearly a dozen have already collected $1 million over the course of their retirements.
Owner of ‘Sixteen Candles’ home paid more than $200K in property taxes over past decade
Owner of ‘Sixteen Candles’ home paid more than $200K in property taxes over past decade
That’s why they call them taxes. If they were easy, they’d call them something else.
Gus Rapatas
Gus Rapatas
“Our property taxes went from $12,500 to $19,200 over the course of six years on this Norwood Park commercial property. And we’ve been losing money every year charging lower rent to accommodate for the property taxes. “We fight it every year, but $19,000 is the best we’ll get here. Can’t do it anymore, it’s not...
Outgoing SIU president to receive $215K severance, new $100K job
Outgoing SIU president to receive $215K severance, new $100K job
Southern Illinois University President Randy Dunn will receive a $215,000 severance package before taking a lucrative job at the university’s Edwardsville campus.
Hog-tied: Illinois state law not equipped to address local governments’ pension problems
Hog-tied: Illinois state law not equipped to address local governments’ pension problems
Avenues for state oversight for cities with financial difficulties have limited utility in the face of massive pension debt and have almost never been invoked since Springfield passed them into law in 1990.
15 former Chicago aldermen collecting 6-figure pensions
15 former Chicago aldermen collecting 6-figure pensions
In the midst of Chicago’s $36 billion pension crisis, former city officials are seeing big payouts.
Illinois jobs growth spikes in June, double the growth of the rest of the U.S.
Illinois jobs growth spikes in June, double the growth of the rest of the U.S.
Illinois added 18,100 new jobs in June, the highest monthly increase since summer 2017, but the Prairie State still lags behind the rest of the nation for the post-recession period.
Puzzled by property taxes: Improving transparency and fairness in Illinois’ assessment system
Puzzled by property taxes: Improving transparency and fairness in Illinois’ assessment system
Illinois should take steps toward more accurate and frequent property assessments to ensure the tax burden is distributed as fairly as possible.