Cook County property tax delays hit Evanston, other schools
Cook County property tax delays hit Evanston, other schools
Cook County’s delayed property tax bills are straining school districts with nearly $122 million in unexpected, unneeded costs.
Donation tax credits can boost Illinois public school foundations
Donation tax credits can boost Illinois public school foundations
A federal tax credit is expected to boost school donations. Public school foundations can obtain the funds to help Illinois students.
Waste watch: Illinois spends $700K on decolonization activism
Waste watch: Illinois spends $700K on decolonization activism
Illinois’ rushed, closed-door budgeting process funded $700,000 in taxpayer dollars to a research group promoting “decolonization.”
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Chicago delaying pension payment, running low on cash
Chicago delaying pension payment, running low on cash
Chicago is splitting its 2026 “advance” pension payment, blaming delayed Cook County property taxes but raising concerns about pension stability.
Vallas: Record-high property tax increase is Preckwinkle’s reelection baggage
Vallas: Record-high property tax increase is Preckwinkle’s reelection baggage
Record Cook County property tax hikes under Toni Preckwinkle expose a fundamentally broken system, benefitting insiders and costing everyone else.
44K international migrants offset 40K Illinoisans leaving last year
44K international migrants offset 40K Illinoisans leaving last year
Illinois’ population grew by 16,108 in 2025 thanks to an influx of people migrating from other countries. But Illinoisans moving away offset most of that gain.
Waste watch: Illinois funnels $4.6M to children’s sports camp
Waste watch: Illinois funnels $4.6M to children’s sports camp
Illinois lawmakers gave $4.6 million to A Ray of Hope on Earth, a sports camp for children. The grants were 10 times the group’s 2023 budget.
Chicago metro area is 4th-hottest tech hub
Chicago metro area is 4th-hottest tech hub
The Chicago area climbed up two spots as a technology hub, surpassing Silicon Valley. Government can foster that growth.
Illinois is No. 3 for workforce development
Illinois is No. 3 for workforce development
Illinois’ strong colleges and workforce training help reduce unemployment and close skill gaps, ranking No. 1 in the Midwest and No. 3 nationally.
Waste watch: Illinois spends $2.6M on tennis, pickleball
Waste watch: Illinois spends $2.6M on tennis, pickleball
Illinois’ broken budgeting process allowed state lawmakers to spend $2.6 million on tennis and pickleball courts.
Illinois economy grows 4.3%, riding national trend
Illinois economy grows 4.3%, riding national trend
Illinois saw strong economic growth in the third quarter of 2025, largely tracking national trends.
Illinois home prices rising, inventory nearly half
Illinois home prices rising, inventory nearly half
Since 2019, Illinois home prices have jumped nearly 50% and available houses are down nearly 50%. Blame property taxes and zoning.
Chicago Teachers Union president owes city over $3.3K
Chicago Teachers Union president owes city over $3.3K
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates not only refuses to pay her Chicago utility bills, she refuses to pay city fines. She owes over $3,300.