Taxpayer-funded Lombard hotel filing for bankruptcy
Taxpayer-funded Lombard hotel filing for bankruptcy
A decade-old, 18-story, taxpayer-funded hotel in the village of Lombard is headed for bankruptcy, proving to be a misguided investment of taxpayer dollars.
Preckwinkle suing soda tax opponents, judge fears ‘chilling effect’
Preckwinkle suing soda tax opponents, judge fears ‘chilling effect’
Cook County’s lawsuit seeks damages from the Illinois Retail Merchants Association.
By John Kristof
Cook County soda tax exempts food stamp purchases
Cook County soda tax exempts food stamp purchases
While supporters of the tax claim success in the fight against obesity, the law exempts a vulnerable segment of the population.
By Chris Lentino
Lawsuit claims Chicago distracted driving tickets invalid
Lawsuit claims Chicago distracted driving tickets invalid
Distracted driving citations dropped by 99 percent after a 2015 Chicago ordinance was passed to comply with state law.
By John Kristof
Chicago Public Schools’ latest $500 million borrowing: More evidence it doesn’t deserve a bailout
Chicago Public Schools’ latest $500 million borrowing: More evidence it doesn’t deserve a bailout
Senate Bill 1 would force Illinois taxpayers to pick up the tab for CPS’ mismanagement of its finances.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner, Evelyn Hussey
PolitiFact fumbles fact-check: Education funding proposal is a CPS bailout
PolitiFact fumbles fact-check: Education funding proposal is a CPS bailout
Analysis from PolitiFact Illinois and the Better Government Association misreads or ignores Chicago Public Schools bailout provisions within Senate Bill 1.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Cook County soda tax goes into effect, despite appeal
Cook County soda tax goes into effect, despite appeal
The new tax will make soda sold in Chicago among the most expensive in the country.
By John Kristof
Rahm’s 2018 Budget: More taxes on the way?
Rahm’s 2018 Budget: More taxes on the way?
In the wake of the city’s 2018 preliminary budget report, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is playing it close to the vest about whether to raise taxes.
By Chris Lentino
Illinois’ gubernatorial veto procedures
Illinois’ gubernatorial veto procedures
The governor can exercise the veto power in four different ways: a total veto, an amendatory veto, an item veto and a reduction veto.
By Matt Paprocki
Union lobbyist denied part of teacher pension after substitute teaching for 1 day
Union lobbyist denied part of teacher pension after substitute teaching for 1 day
David Piccioli sought a teacher pension after lobbying for the Illinois Federation of Teachers.
By Evelyn Hussey
Rauner issues amendatory veto of school finance bill
Rauner issues amendatory veto of school finance bill
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s amendatory veto strips a Chicago bailout from Senate Bill 1, among other changes.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Chicago Public Schools to pay $850 million in interest on $500 million loan
Chicago Public Schools to pay $850 million in interest on $500 million loan
The loan will not be paid off until current kindergarteners are in their mid-30s.
By Robert Brutvan
Full Text: Senate Bill 1
Full Text: Senate Bill 1
Senate Bill 1 provides a $215 million annual pension bailout and other carve-outs worth hundreds of millions of dollars more to CPS.
By illinoispolicy
Tax increases will cost back-to-school shoppers in Illinois
Tax increases will cost back-to-school shoppers in Illinois
Illinois parents will pay the Midwest’s highest sales taxes on back-to-school shopping.
By Marianna Schmiesing