State lawmakers don’t really care about the budget
State lawmakers don’t really care about the budget
The odds Illinois continues without a budget until 2018 increase sharply if nothing passes before the end of May
6 key reasons to say ‘no’ to Flynn Currie pension bill in the Illinois House
6 key reasons to say ‘no’ to Flynn Currie pension bill in the Illinois House
Illinois state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie has introduced a pension bill that is unfair to new and current workers, is potentially unconstitutional, bails out Chicago Public Schools’ pensions, and perpetuates Illinois’ broken pension system.
Illinois’ unpaid bills jump to $14.3B
Illinois’ unpaid bills jump to $14.3B
New numbers from the Illinois comptroller’s office show that Illinois’ unpaid bill backlog has climbed to more than $14 billion. In August 2016, Moody’s Investors Service predicted Illinois’ bill backlog would reach $14 billion by summer 2017.
Kennedy-led company used Madigan’s firm for property tax refunds
Kennedy-led company used Madigan’s firm for property tax refunds
Gubernatorial hopeful Chris Kennedy is advocating for “a property tax system that can’t be abused by the wealthy and insiders.” But new documents suggest a Kennedy-led company enlisted the help of the city’s most politically connected property tax law firm to lower its bills.
Illinois lawmakers attempt to bail out Chicago Public Schools yet again
Illinois lawmakers attempt to bail out Chicago Public Schools yet again
State lawmakers’ latest bill not only forces a failed “evidence-based” education funding program on Illinois, but also bails out Chicago Public Schools.
Rare interview shows Madigan rejecting term limits, downplaying power
Rare interview shows Madigan rejecting term limits, downplaying power
House Speaker Mike Madigan ducks responsibility for Illinois' woes, spurns term limits, and minimizes his massive power in a new interview.
Bob Anderson
Bob Anderson
“This is an impossibility. But it’s here. The road to get here … it’s basically insurmountable. If I would have seen the end before the beginning, the beginning would have ended very quickly. “Today is a victory for the people. It’s truly a victory for the people. We got elected on two subjects: a tax...
Illinois Senate proposal would tax home repairs
Illinois Senate proposal would tax home repairs
Members of the home building industry say Senate Bill 9’s tax on home repairs would fall hardest on Illinois’ middle-class and senior residents.
‘Grand bargain’ redux: Brady plan the next in a long list of failed ‘compromises’ for Illinoisans
‘Grand bargain’ redux: Brady plan the next in a long list of failed ‘compromises’ for Illinoisans
Only in Illinois could a budget deal that hits struggling Illinoisans with billions in new taxes be called a “grand bargain.”
Metro East median property taxes rank in the top 50 highest in Illinois
Metro East median property taxes rank in the top 50 highest in Illinois
High property taxes in the Metro East region are fueling out-migration from the area.
Illinois teachers get no respect from state government
Illinois teachers get no respect from state government
Illinois has been using its teachers as a piggy bank.
Groups debate gasoline tax hike on Illinois drivers
Groups debate gasoline tax hike on Illinois drivers
Contracting and fuel industry experts sounded off on a recent idea to raise Illinois’ fuel tax.
Vicki McCarthy
Vicki McCarthy
“Our house, when we purchased it in 2002, we paid $195,000. I believe the fair market value right now is maybe below $180,000. To pay almost $8,000 in property taxes for a house that is not even valued at $200,000 is insane. “I wasn’t born here, I moved here from Mississippi in 2000. I moved...
How Joe Ocol makes kings and queens in Englewood
How Joe Ocol makes kings and queens in Englewood
Joe Ocol is taking his South Side chess team to one of the nation’s premier tournaments. But he needs help paying their way.