Metro East taxpayers struggle to keep up with state spending
Metro East taxpayers struggle to keep up with state spending
Residents in Madison and St. Clair counties find themselves fleeced by lawmakers' failure to control state finances.
Lake Bluff consolidation proposal could save taxpayers $500K
Lake Bluff consolidation proposal could save taxpayers $500K
A joint service agreement between two fire departments could save Lake Bluff more than $500,000 over five years, once fully implemented. The plan would be a welcome change of pace for residents, as Lake County homeowners pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation.
Shrinking Decatur to face budgetary hurdles in coming year
Shrinking Decatur to face budgetary hurdles in coming year
After passing an unbalanced budget in 2017, Decatur will have to address its declining population and revenue as it looks ahead to crafting future budgets.
Report: Cook County property tax assessment process unfair to poorer homeowners
Report: Cook County property tax assessment process unfair to poorer homeowners
A new study confirms Cook County's broken property tax assessment system causes owners of lower-value homes to bear a disproportionate share of the tax burden.
The most misleading myths in Illinois politics
The most misleading myths in Illinois politics
Fixing what ails the state requires Illinoisans of all political stripes to be honest about how they got here.
McHenry Township voters will get a voice on local government consolidation
McHenry Township voters will get a voice on local government consolidation
Following years of work by consolidation advocates, the McHenry Township board of trustees passed a motion allowing voters to decide whether to dissolve their local road district in November.
Do Illinois homeowners get any bang for their property tax buck?
Do Illinois homeowners get any bang for their property tax buck?
From 2005 to 2015, home values are down, property taxes are up and educational outcomes haven't seen a big improvement.
House bill would cap growth in sky-high administrative spending at Illinois schools
House bill would cap growth in sky-high administrative spending at Illinois schools
Illinois' spending on administrative costs is among the highest in the nation, sapping scarce dollars from the classroom. But a new bill would slow the growth in these expenses and align them with taxpayers' ability to pay.
General Assembly overrides governor’s veto, granting 1 Chicago business an exemption from state liquor law
General Assembly overrides governor’s veto, granting 1 Chicago business an exemption from state liquor law
State lawmakers passed into law a bill that exempts a single Chicago performance hall from a provision in Illinois state liquor law, overriding Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto. This practice of granting piecemeal exemptions is commonplace but cumbersome.
Tax Olympics: Chicago tops the table on taxes and fees
Tax Olympics: Chicago tops the table on taxes and fees
In a comparative analysis of taxes and fees in the nation's top 15 cities, Chicago won first place more times than any other city.
Illinois’ sweetheart deals tilt against small businesses
Illinois’ sweetheart deals tilt against small businesses
The state has chosen to coddle some big businesses while punishing the small.
When Illinois home values fall, but property taxes don’t
When Illinois home values fall, but property taxes don’t
If an Illinois worker takes a pay cut during a recession, she knows the state isn’t going to take an even bigger chunk out of her paycheck. That’s because the state income tax rate stays the same. But if her home loses value, too, she could still see her property tax bill go up. Government...
Hundreds of local officials in DuPage have salaries over $100,000
Hundreds of local officials in DuPage have salaries over $100,000
Residents of DuPage County pay some of the highest property taxes in the state - and the country. As taxpayers feel the pinch, compensation remains generous for many local officials - some have even enjoyed a boost.
More Chicago-area homeowners drowning in mortgage debt than in any other major city
More Chicago-area homeowners drowning in mortgage debt than in any other major city
A new study shows 13 percent of Chicago-area homeowners with mortgages owed at least 25 percent more than their homes were worth.