Aldermen rubber stamp Rahm’s 2017 budget
Aldermen rubber stamp Rahm’s 2017 budget
Despite the heavy burden Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s 2017 budget imposes on Chicago taxpayers, not a single alderman voted against it.
Madigan declines to attend leadership meeting with Rauner
Madigan declines to attend leadership meeting with Rauner
The Nov. 8 election saw Madigan lose his supermajority in the Illinois General Assembly. Now, two Democrats are calling on the speaker to present his solution set for a state in fiscal crisis before pledging to vote for his re-election as House speaker.
Illinois’ $204B debt crowding out payment for social services
Illinois’ $204B debt crowding out payment for social services
Illinois will spend $1 billion more on annual debt payments than it will on human services in fiscal year 2017.
DuPage residents vote to consolidate local units of government
DuPage residents vote to consolidate local units of government
Voters in Naperville and surrounding townships voted in favor of government consolidation in nonbinding ballot questions.
Moody’s calls Safe Roads Amendment a “credit negative” for Illinois’ finances
Moody’s calls Safe Roads Amendment a “credit negative” for Illinois’ finances
Now that politicians don’t have the flexibility to access transportation funding during emergencies, they’ll use the lack of funds as an excuse to pass higher taxes on Illinoisans.
Metra votes to hike fares on commuters again in 2017 budget
Metra votes to hike fares on commuters again in 2017 budget
The commuter train service’s board approved rate hikes for the third time in as many years, making it costlier to get to and from Chicago.
Cook County Board approves soda tax
Cook County Board approves soda tax
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of new tax on sugary and artificially sweetened beverages.
S&P hits Chicago Public Schools with credit downgrade
S&P hits Chicago Public Schools with credit downgrade
Standard & Poor’s sent Chicago Public Schools’ credit rating deeper into junk territory in the wake of the new $9.5 billion teachers’ contract. The ratings firm said the new contract will make the district’s financial crisis worse.
Judge greenlights class-action status for lawsuit over Chicago red-light- and speed-camera tickets
Judge greenlights class-action status for lawsuit over Chicago red-light- and speed-camera tickets
The ruling could affect 1.5 million motorists.
Alderman proposes charging admission to Taste of Chicago, Blues, and Jazz festivals
Alderman proposes charging admission to Taste of Chicago, Blues, and Jazz festivals
Chicago alderman suggests admission charge to sponsored festivals as way to raise revenue.
Half of city aldermen don’t show up for Chicago budget hearings
Half of city aldermen don’t show up for Chicago budget hearings
Each year, the City Council holds hearings for every city department to justify their annual appropriation. These hearings are sparsely attended and rarely touch on spending. This year, more than half of Chicago aldermen skipped budget hearings.
Transportation “lockbox” amendment is a bad idea
Transportation “lockbox” amendment is a bad idea
The Illinois Constitution shouldn't be trivialized by a convoluted mess of budget restrictions.
Average Metropolitan Water Reclamation District employee makes nearly $100K per year
Average Metropolitan Water Reclamation District employee makes nearly $100K per year
Government employees responsible for managing water quality are earning six-figure salaries, despite a recent history of slacking on taxpayers’ time.
Rahm’s 2017 budget: No significant reforms to help Chicago taxpayers
Rahm’s 2017 budget: No significant reforms to help Chicago taxpayers
In his annual budget address, Mayor Rahm Emanuel provided an optimistic outlook on city finances, but no major reforms to give taxpayers reason to smile.