Do Illinois homeowners get any bang for their property tax buck?
Do Illinois homeowners get any bang for their property tax buck?
From 2005 to 2015, home values are down, property taxes are up and educational outcomes haven't seen a big improvement.
House bill would cap growth in sky-high administrative spending at Illinois schools
House bill would cap growth in sky-high administrative spending at Illinois schools
Illinois' spending on administrative costs is among the highest in the nation, sapping scarce dollars from the classroom. But a new bill would slow the growth in these expenses and align them with taxpayers' ability to pay.
General Assembly overrides governor’s veto, granting 1 Chicago business an exemption from state liquor law
General Assembly overrides governor’s veto, granting 1 Chicago business an exemption from state liquor law
State lawmakers passed into law a bill that exempts a single Chicago performance hall from a provision in Illinois state liquor law, overriding Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto. This practice of granting piecemeal exemptions is commonplace but cumbersome.
Tax Olympics: Chicago tops the table on taxes and fees
Tax Olympics: Chicago tops the table on taxes and fees
In a comparative analysis of taxes and fees in the nation's top 15 cities, Chicago won first place more times than any other city.
Kiss-off: Too many Illinoisans breaking up with the state
Kiss-off: Too many Illinoisans breaking up with the state
Every relationship comes with some sacrifices. But for an alarming number of Illinoisans, they're opting instead to sacrifice their state IDs.
Illinois’ sweetheart deals tilt against small businesses
Illinois’ sweetheart deals tilt against small businesses
The state has chosen to coddle some big businesses while punishing the small.
Lincoln’s birthday
Lincoln’s birthday
When Illinois home values fall, but property taxes don’t
When Illinois home values fall, but property taxes don’t
If an Illinois worker takes a pay cut during a recession, she knows the state isn’t going to take an even bigger chunk out of her paycheck. That’s because the state income tax rate stays the same. But if her home loses value, too, she could still see her property tax bill go up. Government...
Pension shortfall
Pension shortfall
Madigan’s snow plow
Madigan’s snow plow
Hundreds of local officials in DuPage have salaries over $100,000
Hundreds of local officials in DuPage have salaries over $100,000
Residents of DuPage County pay some of the highest property taxes in the state - and the country. As taxpayers feel the pinch, compensation remains generous for many local officials - some have even enjoyed a boost.
Broken pension system puts Schaumburg taxpayers on the hook for bad investments
Broken pension system puts Schaumburg taxpayers on the hook for bad investments
The defined-benefit pension system threatens the retirement security of government workers, as well as the pocketbooks of overburdened taxpayers.
More Chicago-area homeowners drowning in mortgage debt than in any other major city
More Chicago-area homeowners drowning in mortgage debt than in any other major city
A new study shows 13 percent of Chicago-area homeowners with mortgages owed at least 25 percent more than their homes were worth.
Fixing Illinois’ busted budgets: Spending cap amendments filed in House and Senate
Fixing Illinois’ busted budgets: Spending cap amendments filed in House and Senate
A proposal to tie state spending to what taxpayers can afford is earning bipartisan support in Springfield.