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.
By Vincent Caruso
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.
By Mailee Smith
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.
By Austin Berg
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.
By Brendan Bakala
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.
By Brendan Bakala
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.
By Brendan Bakala
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.
By Brendan Bakala
Chicago Public Schools CEO resigns following ethics investigation
Chicago Public Schools CEO resigns following ethics investigation
Forrest Claypool will step down as the head of Chicago Public Schools after the CPS inspector general recommended his firing.
By Brendan Bakala
Investigation: Madigan firm the biggest player in commercial property tax appeals
Investigation: Madigan firm the biggest player in commercial property tax appeals
A new investigation by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois reveals the mismanagement of the Cook County property tax system, and the politically connected firms who profit from it.
By Austin Berg
Elgin residents facing multitude of tax and fee hikes
Elgin residents facing multitude of tax and fee hikes
A 2018 budget proposal for Elgin includes a new gas tax, an increase in water and sewer rates, and other tax hikes.
By Brendan Bakala