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.
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.