The ‘magic’ of Metra: Higher costs, lower service
The ‘magic’ of Metra: Higher costs, lower service
Costs for Metra's administrative workers, including managers, lawyers, accountants and IT specialists went up 54 percent over the last five years.
The gift of a second chance
The gift of a second chance
Illinois has started to embrace second chances for people who have been through the criminal justice system.
This Christmas, property taxes are robbing the McCallisters
This Christmas, property taxes are robbing the McCallisters
Since 1990, the owners of 671 Lincoln Avenue have paid more than $783,000 in property taxes when adjusting for inflation.
DAILY LINKS / 6.26.2023
The Center Square: Illinois’ program of taxpayers subsidizing noncitizen health care criticized from all sides Chicago Tribune: The assessment on Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi’s home went down while his neighbors’ soared. What happened? Chicago Sun-Times: Madigan’s ex-chief of staff wants judge to block feds from playing roughly 100 recordings at perjury trial CBS Chicago: Towing marathon catches hundreds of drivers off guard in Chciago Daily Herald: What suburbanites need to know to attend -- or avoid -- Chicago NASCAR race WTVO: Millions of Illinois residents drinking forever chemical-contaminated water WBBM: Fight over tipped workers’ wages heating up in Chicago Capitol News: Consumer advocates, utilities spar over potential energy price increasesLocal advocate for property tax reform faces dangerous backlash
Local advocate for property tax reform faces dangerous backlash
Local barber Bob Anderson has endured two attempts at intimidation since being elected to the McHenry Township Board on a platform of consolidation.
New proposal would free General Assembly watchdog to pursue investigations without lawmaker approval
New proposal would free General Assembly watchdog to pursue investigations without lawmaker approval
A bureaucratic barrier that stifles investigations into lawmakers’ ethical violations would be nixed under a newly proposed law.
Illinois’ government union laws drive up costs as negotiations drag on
Illinois’ government union laws drive up costs as negotiations drag on
Unlike most of its neighbors, Illinois places no limits on the types of provisions that can be negotiated into government worker contracts.
Government unions, your property tax bill and the power of giving
Government unions, your property tax bill and the power of giving
Balancing the scales at the bargaining table is an essential step in fixing the property tax problem.
Rigged: How Illinois’ labor laws stack the deck against taxpayers
Rigged: How Illinois’ labor laws stack the deck against taxpayers
If Illinois is going to compete with its neighbors – and keep people from moving out of the state – it must reduce the enormous property tax burden its families are forced to bear. Following the lead of surrounding states by enacting collective bargaining reforms is one good place to start.
Elmhurst City Council OKs property tax hike for pensions
Elmhurst City Council OKs property tax hike for pensions
The Chicago suburb’s decision to raise the levy will result in a 3.1 percent hike in the city’s portion of property tax bills, marking the first such increase in four years.
Corruption watchdog: Markham mayor approved his own pay raise
Corruption watchdog: Markham mayor approved his own pay raise
A new report alleges Markham Mayor Pro Tem Ernest Blevins illegally hiked his own salary.
The Illinois Hive
The Illinois Hive
Last day for refunds on Chicago red-light and speed camera tickets
Last day for refunds on Chicago red-light and speed camera tickets
Motorists have only hours left to seek a refund from the city of Chicago.
Hoffman Estates passes property tax hike
Hoffman Estates passes property tax hike
Seeing rising pension costs, a decline in state assistance, and a new state tax-collection fee, in 2018 the village plans to raise the property tax levy 4.9 percent and make a 1.2 percent cut to the village’s budgeted revenues, in addition to a 1.7 percent spending cut.