Bears stadium deal should not include lawmaker perks or raise property taxes
Bears stadium deal should not include lawmaker perks or raise property taxes
Publicly funded stadium deals can include questionable incentives for politicians. The megaprojects bill in Illinois would drive up neighbors’ property taxes.
By Bryce Hill
More than half of Illinois counties suffer outmigration
More than half of Illinois counties suffer outmigration
Residents are leaving every corner of Illinois for other states despite surging international migration propping up the total population.
By Bryce Hill
Illinois home prices jump as inventory plunges
Illinois home prices jump as inventory plunges
The state’s housing inventory is at just 31% of pre-pandemic levels, driving up prices. Restrictive zoning and the nation’s highest property taxes must be addressed.
By LyLena Estabine, Jon Josko
Chicago Teachers Union must answer for audits
Chicago Teachers Union must answer for audits
A Cook County judge isn’t letting the CTU off the hook for violating member rights.
By Lilly Rossi
Bill would limit cell phone use in classrooms
Bill would limit cell phone use in classrooms
The measure would prohibit most student cell phone use in class. Illinois is one of only nine states with no state law governing cell phone use in schools.
By Benjamin Hines
A recession would quicky sink Illinois’ unemployment insurance fund
A recession would quicky sink Illinois’ unemployment insurance fund
State unemployment insurance could withstand less than three months in an economic downturn. The taxes that support the fund are among the highest in the country.
By LyLena Estabine
Teacher strike threats highlight fact that Illinois allows such walkouts
Teacher strike threats highlight fact that Illinois allows such walkouts
Illinois is among the minority of states allowing teachers to strike. None of Illinois’ neighbors allow it.
By Benjamin Hines
Tax concern should be a warning to Chicago’s mayor
Tax concern should be a warning to Chicago’s mayor
Almost half of those in a new poll named taxes one of the city top-two issues. Concern about the economy is on the rise.
By Todd J. Behme
In Cook County, 75% of police, fire property taxes go to pensions
In Cook County, 75% of police, fire property taxes go to pensions
Outside Chicago, only a fourth of municipal property taxes collected this year for police and fire are going to services.
By LyLena Estabine
Voters say Illinois students should benefit from scholarships
Voters say Illinois students should benefit from scholarships
Illinois voters who were asked strongly support public and private school students in the state benefiting from donated money for scholarships.
By Lilly Rossi, Hannah Schmid
Illinois near the bottom for entrepreneurship and growth
Illinois near the bottom for entrepreneurship and growth
High taxes and burdensome regulation are major factors in the state’s low ranking.
By Josh Bandoch