Chicago leaders can still fix runaway budget, tax hikes
Chicago leaders can still fix runaway budget, tax hikes
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson failed to rally the votes for a record $17.3 billion budget imposing $68.5 million in property tax hikes. City leaders have another chance to fix the budget. Here’s how they can do it.
By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar
Nearly $50K property tax bills robs ‘Home Alone’ house
Nearly $50K property tax bills robs ‘Home Alone’ house
The current owners of Kevin McCallister’s house from the “Home Alone” movie will pay nearly $50,000 in property taxes this year. Illinoisans pay more than twice as much as the typical American in property taxes.
By Patrick Andriesen
Johnson proposes 11 tax and fee hikes totaling $234M
Johnson proposes 11 tax and fee hikes totaling $234M
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget includes $233.9 million in tax hikes including rideshare prices and streaming services. It has already passed a key committee in the city council.
By Dylan Sharkey
Exclude staff costs, Chicago spending still spiked $3.6B in just 6 years
Exclude staff costs, Chicago spending still spiked $3.6B in just 6 years
Chicago’s 2025 budget is facing a nearly $1 billion gap. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to close it: increase taxes. The city’s rising non-personnel costs, now at $6.6 billion, will outpace its grant funding, squeeze taxpayers and increase regressive fees.
By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar
Chicago drivers face lower speed limit, more cameras after $28M fine drop
Chicago drivers face lower speed limit, more cameras after $28M fine drop
Chicago speed cameras sent drivers $28 million less in tickets through September than during the first nine months of 2023. Annual revenues could spike again under proposals to drop the citywide speed limit or boost the number of cameras.
By Patrick Andriesen
1,400% property tax hikes in Montgomery County on hold
1,400% property tax hikes in Montgomery County on hold
Montgomery County notified some residents they will not be facing 1,400% property tax hikes as originally planned. The sticker shock stemmed from a 2007 law.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois in top 10 states for cigarette smuggling
Illinois in top 10 states for cigarette smuggling
High cigarette taxes give Illinoisans a financial reason to sneak in smokes from other states. Illinois is among the 10 states with the most smuggling.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago mayor refuses to stop pushing $300M in tax hikes
Chicago mayor refuses to stop pushing $300M in tax hikes
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wanted a $300 million property tax hike for his big budget. All 50 aldermen said “no.” So then he asked for $150 million and a 35% tax on liquor. Johnson fails to admit it’s not about taxes, it’s about making changes.
By Matheus Cosso
Some Montgomery County residents see 1,400% property tax hike
Some Montgomery County residents see 1,400% property tax hike
Residents in Central Illinois are feeling sticker shock from exponential property tax growth. One woman’s $756 property tax bill is skyrocketing to $10,000 in one year.
By Dylan Sharkey
Chicago slashes 2,103 public safety jobs as it adds 184 administrators
Chicago slashes 2,103 public safety jobs as it adds 184 administrators
Chicago’s 2025 budget has a nearly $1 billion hole. Mayor Brandon Johnson has only proposed tax hikes. But when personnel eats over two-thirds of the budget, the city must be smart about freezes and cuts without making public safety even worse.
By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar
Vallas: Chicago Transit Authority is city’s 3rd budget crisis
Vallas: Chicago Transit Authority is city’s 3rd budget crisis
Chicago faces financial meltdowns on three fronts: the city budget, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Transit Authority. The CTA faces a $577 million deficit, but it can be fixed.
By Paul Vallas
Pekin passes grocery tax, taking away $1M in savings for shoppers
Pekin passes grocery tax, taking away $1M in savings for shoppers
Pekin and Normal have joined the list of local governments passing ordinances to replace the 1% statewide grocery tax when it expires.
By Dylan Sharkey