See if your lawmaker has taken money from the Chicago Teachers Union
See if your lawmaker has taken money from the Chicago Teachers Union
The Chicago Teachers Union has funneled nearly $1.6 to lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly. See if your lawmakers accepted CTU cash.
By Mailee Smith
Enough? Chicago aldermen to vote on mayor’s property tax hike
Enough? Chicago aldermen to vote on mayor’s property tax hike
Mayor Brandon Johnson broke a campaign promise by proposing a $300 million property tax increase to fund his $17.3 billion budget. On Thursday the city council will vote, and the signs are not good for Johnson.
By Matheus Cosso
South Side gets 2.5X as many tickets per red-light camera as North Side
South Side gets 2.5X as many tickets per red-light camera as North Side
Red-light cameras on the city’s South Side issued the most tickets per intersection between October 2023 and September 2024, more than 2.5 times as many as cameras on the North Side. Citywide, fines are up to $61.4 million for past 12 months.
By Patrick Andriesen
Palos Park, another Chicago suburb might tax residents’ groceries
Palos Park, another Chicago suburb might tax residents’ groceries
Palos Park residents have a chance to save 1% on groceries starting in 2026, but the City Council is considering taking that away and taxing groceries. A series of towns are considering a local grocery tax.
By Dylan Sharkey
Election’s over. What’s next for the Chicago School Board?
Election’s over. What’s next for the Chicago School Board?
Voters have chosen the first 10 members of their elected Chicago Public Schools board. Amid a chaotic fall, here are answers to some common questions about what’s next for public education in Chicago.
By Mailee Smith
CTU-backed candidates losing majority of Chicago School Board races
CTU-backed candidates losing majority of Chicago School Board races
Chicago Teachers Union allies were losing most Chicago School Board elections. CTU spent more than $1 million on its candidates, but voters made it clear they are tired of paying more to get less from city schools.
By Dylan Sharkey
‘Millionaire tax’ being backed by Illinois voters
‘Millionaire tax’ being backed by Illinois voters
The “millionaire tax” was being OK’d by Illinois voters, with 60.3% voting “yes” on the advisory question about raising taxes on residents earning over $1 million a year to fund property tax relief. The problem is, millionaires would not be the only tax targets.
By Patrick Andriesen
First Illinois voters to be asked overwhelmingly back public pension reform
First Illinois voters to be asked overwhelmingly back public pension reform
Barrington Township became the first local government in Illinois to back changing the Illinois Constitution so public pensions can be brought under control. While essentially an opinion poll, the overwhelming approval shows elected leaders must address this issue.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago Public Schools’ financial crisis can again be fixed by state oversight
Chicago Public Schools’ financial crisis can again be fixed by state oversight
By 1980, financial mismanagement led Chicago Public Schools to lose its ability to borrow money, to miss multiple payrolls and vendor payments, and to drop deep into debt. The state stepped in with a financial oversight authority. It’s time to do that again.
By Joe Tabor
Check here for Illinois election results
Check here for Illinois election results
No Election Day noise. Just results for the issues close to home for Illinois' and Chicago's freedom-minded voters.
By Brad Weisenstein
4 ways Chicago’s 2025 budget fails, plus hikes property taxes
4 ways Chicago’s 2025 budget fails, plus hikes property taxes
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2025 budget proposes a nearly $1 billion deficit. High personnel and pension costs have Johnson breaking his campaign promise not to hike property taxes. Plus there’s no plan for long-term fixes.
By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar
Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance
Over 1 in 7 Illinoisans get food assistance
Nearly 2 million Illinoisans – or more than 1-in-7 – received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in July 2024. One-quarter of county offices reported more than 1-in-5 residents received food help.
By Patrick Andriesen