Updated: Chicago Public Schools has a new $10 billion budget. How have its finances become such a mess?
Updated: Chicago Public Schools has a new $10 billion budget. How have its finances become such a mess?
The CPS budget proposal relies on hundreds of millions in fund sweeps to “balance.” Despite layoffs, CPS payrolls grew compared with last year and remain 8,250 higher than 2020 levels despite fewer students.
By Bryce Hill
Is Lollapalooza music to the tax man’s ears?
Is Lollapalooza music to the tax man’s ears?
Chicago’s biggest music event brings in millions in revenue for the city, but tickets to the lakefront festival carry the amusement taxes and overnight visitors pay the nation’s highest hotel tax.
By Grace Hansen
Sales tax increase to pay for CTA, Metra, Pace problems
Sales tax increase to pay for CTA, Metra, Pace problems
A sales tax increase for the Regional Transportation Authority, soon to replaced by the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, takes effect Aug. 1.
By Lilly Rossi
Who should pay for new sports stadiums?
Who should pay for new sports stadiums?
As teams in Chicago and elsewhere pursue new venues and entertainment districts, lawmakers face renewed questions about public financing.
By Lilly Rossi
Illinois sales taxes near top in U.S.
Illinois sales taxes near top in U.S.
Chicago will have one of the highest big-city rates in the country when the transit tax inches up Aug. 1.
By Adam Gorcyca
Proposed toll hikes would cost drivers $17 billion in next 15 years
Proposed toll hikes would cost drivers $17 billion in next 15 years
You still have time to tell the Illinois Tollway board to reject the increases.
By Bryce Hill
Tequila is optional. Constitutional liquor tax rules aren’t.
Tequila is optional. Constitutional liquor tax rules aren’t.
Illinois wisely scrapped a proposal that could well have violated a 1988 state Supreme Court ruling.
By Joe Tabor, Riya Kapoor
UPDATE: Lawsuit aims to block Illinois’ first-in-U.S. crypto transaction tax
UPDATE: Lawsuit aims to block Illinois’ first-in-U.S. crypto transaction tax
The tax now has been challenged in court.
By Adam Gorcyca
Drivers have less than 2 weeks to weigh in on endless toll hikes, years of congestion
Drivers have less than 2 weeks to weigh in on endless toll hikes, years of congestion
Illinois drivers have only a short window to comment on a $26.5 billion capital plan that includes the largest passenger tollway hike in state history.
By Shaw Carlson
Illinois lawmaker salaries rise 34% faster than their constituents’ paychecks under Pritzker
Illinois lawmaker salaries rise 34% faster than their constituents’ paychecks under Pritzker
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state lawmakers have increased lawmaker pay while approving budgets that raised taxes on Illinoisans.
By Shaw Carlson
Junk fees are bad. So are buried taxes.
Junk fees are bad. So are buried taxes.
Lawmakers demand honest pricing from businesses but fail to acknowledge poor budgeting practices on their end.
By Riya Kapoor
Combating fare evasion could help lagging CTA ridership
Combating fare evasion could help lagging CTA ridership
Fare evasion leads to lower revenue and higher crime. Two cities have found a way to fight it.
By Ravi Mishra
Toll and sales tax hikes: What Pritzker said vs. what Pritzker did
Toll and sales tax hikes: What Pritzker said vs. what Pritzker did
The governor said Illinoisans wouldn’t be interested in a toll increase to keep the Bears. Then he signaled support for what would be the largest passenger toll hike in state history.
By Rich Witzel
FAQ: Illinois Tollway public hearings on rate hikes
FAQ: Illinois Tollway public hearings on rate hikes
The tollway board could soon approve the largest passenger toll hike in state history and automatic inflation-linked increases every other year. Here is how and where you can comment before the vote.
By Riya Kapoor