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
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
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
‘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
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
Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget breaks property tax promise
Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget breaks property tax promise
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered his 2025 budget Oct. 30, including a nearly $1 billion deficit, runaway spending and low revenues that have him breaking his campaign promise not to raise property taxes.
By Lauren Zuar, Ravi Mishra