Chicago Public Schools spends a lot on empty desks
Chicago Public Schools spends a lot on empty desks
The emptiest Chicago Public Schools building held just 3% of its capacity and cost nearly $55,000 per student.
Illinois county updates property tax sale rules after court warnings
Illinois county updates property tax sale rules after court warnings
Rock Island County required tax buyers at its Dec. 30 sale to attest they would protect homeowners’ equity as judges warn Illinois counties may be liable.
Brandon Steals Credit From Eileen O’Neill Burke
Brandon Steals Credit From Eileen O’Neill Burke
Chicago gets lowest employment score since 2009
Chicago gets lowest employment score since 2009
Chicago’s worst employment climate score since 2009 drove a 25th month of business decline.
Fewer homes on market, higher prices for Illinois buyers
Fewer homes on market, higher prices for Illinois buyers
Elevated prices thanks to low inventory continued to create problems for Illinois homebuyers in November.
Waste watch: Illinois gives $12M to NASCAR
Waste watch: Illinois gives $12M to NASCAR
Illinois’ opaque budget process handed $12 million to NASCAR. Fast and furious is no way to treat taxpayers’ money.
How Illinois has changed under Pritzker
How Illinois has changed under Pritzker
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is acting like the 2028 Democratic candidate for president. But what does Pritzker’s Illinois resume say about his leadership?
Illinois local governments lose out on $10.9B in state taxes
Illinois local governments lose out on $10.9B in state taxes
Illinois local governments have been denied more than $10.9 billion in state income tax revenue since fiscal year 2012 because state lawmakers cut their share.
Waste watch: Illinois spends $1M to rethink capitalism
Waste watch: Illinois spends $1M to rethink capitalism
Illinois progressives want to reimagine capitalism and hand out free money with the tax dollars you worked for.
Over 600 Chicago teachers hit Sin City on taxpayers’ dime
Over 600 Chicago teachers hit Sin City on taxpayers’ dime
Using taxpayer dollars intended to educate children, over 600 Chicago Public Schools staffers exploited lax rules to take luxury trips to Las Vegas.
Waste watch: Illinois’ porky budget gives $7M to move pigs
Waste watch: Illinois’ porky budget gives $7M to move pigs
Illinois’ hidden budgeting process let lawmakers hand out 2,815 grants, including $7 million to move the University of Illinois’ pigs.
Illinois state spending balloons as state economy stagnates
Illinois state spending balloons as state economy stagnates
At least 49 tax hikes under Gov. J.B. Pritzker have driven state spending to record highs, even as Illinois’ economic growth has lagged the U.S.
NYE 2026: Brandon’s Chicago
NYE 2026: Brandon’s Chicago
Illinois counts on bad habits to raise $3.47B in sin taxes
Illinois counts on bad habits to raise $3.47B in sin taxes
Whether your vice is drinking, tobacco, cannabis or gambling, Illinois is enjoying $3.47 billion from taxing it.