Belleville passes $1.2 million property tax hike to pay for pensions
Belleville passes $1.2 million property tax hike to pay for pensions
Belleville aldermen approved a 12 percent increase in the city’s property tax levy.
Census: Illinois loses title of 5th-largest state to Pennsylvania
Census: Illinois loses title of 5th-largest state to Pennsylvania
Census data released Dec. 20 show the Land of Lincoln is no longer the fifth-largest state in the U.S.
Planes, trains and automobiles: Chicago’s high travel taxes
Planes, trains and automobiles: Chicago’s high travel taxes
Chicago has some of the highest taxes on travelers in the nation.
Bad Santa: Illinois’ ‘sin taxes’ among the highest in the country
Bad Santa: Illinois’ ‘sin taxes’ among the highest in the country
Despite diminishing returns, the Prairie State has yet to kick its excise tax habit.
Workers’ comp costs hit Illinois’ blue-collar industries
Workers’ comp costs hit Illinois’ blue-collar industries
Exorbitant workers’ comp costs punish small businesses and send employers dashing to Illinois’ neighboring states.
Tax Increment Financing: Christmas year-round for local politicians, developers
Tax Increment Financing: Christmas year-round for local politicians, developers
Statewide use of slush funds ensures it’s Christmas every day for political leaders and their chosen developers.
Madigan’s alderman moves to squash Airbnb near Midway Airport
Madigan’s alderman moves to squash Airbnb near Midway Airport
Chicago Alderman Marty Quinn is attempting to squeeze out home-sharing in the 13th Ward.
State lawmaker plans to introduce township consolidation bill
State lawmaker plans to introduce township consolidation bill
State Rep. David McSweeney, R-Barrington Hills, is working on the framework for a bill that would dramatically improve taxpayers’ ability to eliminate township governments, of which Illinois has about 1,400.
Christmas in Chicago
Christmas in Chicago
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.
Local 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.