New bill empowers voters to eliminate McHenry County townships
New bill empowers voters to eliminate McHenry County townships
House Bill 4244 would give McHenry County voters an easier path to having a choice in eliminating their township governments, encouraging consolidation in a county where residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation.
Hold on to your wallets, Springfield back in session for 2018
Hold on to your wallets, Springfield back in session for 2018
With statewide elections in November, the 2018 forecast calls for gridlock.
By Austin Berg
Rauner announces plan to ban lawmakers from working as property tax lawyers
Rauner announces plan to ban lawmakers from working as property tax lawyers
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and state Rep. Robert Martwick are all involved in the clout-heavy cottage industry of property tax appeals.
By Austin Berg
Berrios fined $41K for donations from property tax appeals lawyers
Berrios fined $41K for donations from property tax appeals lawyers
The Cook County assessor may have to pay $41,000 in fines for accepting donations in excess of the limit allowed by Cook County campaign finance rules.
By Brendan Bakala
Cook County state’s attorney approved $2M property tax settlement for Alderman Ed Burke’s client
Cook County state’s attorney approved $2M property tax settlement for Alderman Ed Burke’s client
The office of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx signed off on a $2 million property tax settlement with the property tax firm headed by Foxx campaign donor Alderman Ed Burke.
By Amy Korte
Giant sucking sound: Illinois lost $3.4B in income to neighboring states since 2010
Giant sucking sound: Illinois lost $3.4B in income to neighboring states since 2010
Policy failures have resulted in a steady stream of income flowing to neighboring states.
By Vincent Caruso
It can be done: Northern Illinois village cuts property tax levy 10 percent
It can be done: Northern Illinois village cuts property tax levy 10 percent
The village of Lakewood is making encouraging reforms in a county where residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation.
By Amanda McDonald
Illinois overrun with local governments, but consolidation still proving difficult
Illinois overrun with local governments, but consolidation still proving difficult
One community in northern Illinois’ McHenry County is a case study on the glacial pace of consolidation in a state with the most units of local government – and some of the highest property taxes – in the nation.
By Amanda McDonald
Chicago set to drive up fee on ‘booted’ vehicles
Chicago set to drive up fee on ‘booted’ vehicles
City Council gave private ‘booting’ companies the blessing to charge Chicagoans more to remove the device from vehicles.
By Vincent Caruso
Wisconsin badgers Illinois millennials to hop the state border
Wisconsin badgers Illinois millennials to hop the state border
A new ad campaign by the Badger State digs into millennials’ growing disillusion with the Land of Lincoln.
By Vincent Caruso
Just reward: A 2017 comeback story for the ages
Just reward: A 2017 comeback story for the ages
State lawmakers would be wise to re-examine the barriers to second chances and first careers throughout the state.
By Austin Berg