Annual salary for Chicago aldermen rises to $143,000 a year
Annual salary for Chicago aldermen rises to $143,000 a year
Chicago aldermen had until Sept. 2 to reject a roughly 10% pay raise for next year. The highest-earning council members will make $142,772 starting Jan. 1, 2023 – more than double the city’s median household income.
By Dylan Sharkey
Arlington Heights residents oppose Chicago Bears tax
Arlington Heights residents oppose Chicago Bears tax
Arlington Heights residents want the Chicago Bears to move to town, but nearly 70% of residents surveyed are against using taxpayer dollars to build a new football stadium.
By Dylan Sharkey
Fact check: Working Illinois families pay more under Pritzker
Fact check: Working Illinois families pay more under Pritzker
Gov J.B. Pritzker is on a bus tour celebrating his accomplishments for working families in Illinois. Accomplishment No. 1: Working families have paid more than $4,000 in additional taxes since Pritzker took office.
By Dylan Sharkey
Fact check: Typical Illinoisan pays $2,288 more in property taxes under Pritzker
Fact check: Typical Illinoisan pays $2,288 more in property taxes under Pritzker
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s claim a rebate provides property tax relief doesn’t add up. Even after the rebate, homeowners will still have paid over $2,000 more in property taxes under Pritzker.
By Bryce Hill, Justin Carlson
Report: More Illinois debt likely following misuse of federal aid money
Report: More Illinois debt likely following misuse of federal aid money
A Truth in Accounting report argued state authorities should have used billions in federal aid to pay down interest on existing pension debt rather than save it for a rainy day. Experts warn this could lead to more state borrowing.
By Patrick Andriesen
First-year Illinois housing costs up more than $12,717 since 2019
First-year Illinois housing costs up more than $12,717 since 2019
Rising prices and mortgage rates are making housing unaffordable for a growing number of Illinoisans. A property tax increase on the Nov. 8 ballot could make it worse.
By Bryce Hill
Lawmakers should let Illinoisans vote on tax hikes
Lawmakers should let Illinoisans vote on tax hikes
Amendment 1 has many more negatives than voters will ever realize, but one of those is a $2,100 property tax hike. Illinoisans should vote on all taxing and spending hikes, not just those presented to them as vague constitutional amendments.
By Joe Tabor
Fact check: Pritzker didn’t lower gas tax or eliminate grocery tax
Fact check: Pritzker didn’t lower gas tax or eliminate grocery tax
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s re-election ad praises him for fictional tax relief, hinting he repealed the grocery tax and lowered the gas tax. Neither is true.
By Dylan Sharkey
Illinois small business owners brace for higher taxes under Amendment 1
Illinois small business owners brace for higher taxes under Amendment 1
New business taxes added by the Pritzker administration plus Illinois’ high property taxes are making it hard for a Chicago-area bar owner to stay in business. Now a government union push for more property taxes is creating a new threat.
By Dylan Sharkey
Pritzker’s ‘Family Relief Plan’ offers Illinoisans $35 while inflation takes $90
Pritzker’s ‘Family Relief Plan’ offers Illinoisans $35 while inflation takes $90
Gov. J.B. Pritzker boasted about financial responsibility and sympathy towards working families, but the average family of three can expect to save only $35.52 per month as inflation eats away $90 from that family’s budget.
By Perry Zhao
U.S. gas prices drop near $4 a gallon, but not in Illinois
U.S. gas prices drop near $4 a gallon, but not in Illinois
Gas prices were on the decline for the 50th straight day, but Illinois’ gas taxes kept the average price above $4.50 a gallon.
By Dylan Sharkey
Fact check: Illinois’ economic recovery under Pritzker among worst in nation
Fact check: Illinois’ economic recovery under Pritzker among worst in nation
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s newest campaign ad credits him with fixing state finances and boasts of Illinois’ job growth. Both are among the worst in the nation.
By Dylan Sharkey
Jerome Cooper
Jerome Cooper
“Higher property taxes from Amendment 1 would mean I’m gonna have to leave Illinois because I can’t afford to stay here."
‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ would hike workers’ property taxes by $2,100
‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ would hike workers’ property taxes by $2,100
Despite proponents’ claims, Amendment 1 would give union rights only to state and local government workers – who make up just 7% of Illinois adults. It would give $2,100 property tax hikes to everyone.
By Mailee Smith