Chicago ranks among America’s least safe cities
Chicago ranks among America’s least safe cities
While Aurora sits near the top of the safety rankings, Chicago lands near the bottom undermining claims by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Brandon Johnson: Who Did This?
Brandon Johnson: Who Did This?
Illinois’ trick-or-treating rules: What to know
Illinois’ trick-or-treating rules: What to know
Halloween is when the masks go on and candy fills the bag. Cities and towns regulating Halloween with trick-or-treating rules do so for safety, so you should check your local Halloween laws.
Harvey needs a way out of its crippling pension debt
Harvey needs a way out of its crippling pension debt
Harvey became the second city in 35 years to ask the state to step in under Illinois’ Financially Distressed City Law. It won’t address the main issue: growing pension liabilities.
Mayor Johnson’s record-setting $1 billion TIF surplus highlights issues
Mayor Johnson’s record-setting $1 billion TIF surplus highlights issues
Chicago Tax Increment Finance “surpluses” have increased more than ninefold in the past decade.
What you need to know about Illinois’ candy tax
What you need to know about Illinois’ candy tax
Illinois’ candy tax doesn’t apply to any treats made with flour. Kit Kat, Twix and Snickers are all taxed as groceries, not candy, and come with a cheaper price tag.
Budget cap could have saved Chicago $600M
Budget cap could have saved Chicago $600M
Chicago’s budget has grown much faster than inflation, leaving taxpayers to endure higher costs without receiving better services. Implementing a spending cap linked to inflation could have kept costs under control, helping prevent future deficits
West Frankfort teachers union files strike notice
West Frankfort teachers union files strike notice
West Frankfort’s local union and school board have been at the negotiation table for more than five months. If an agreement is not reached, teachers in West Frankfort could strike as soon as Oct. 26.
Pensions make homeownership unaffordable in Illinois
Pensions make homeownership unaffordable in Illinois
The dream of homeownership is pushed out of reach by low housing supply and soaring property taxes driven by pension costs.
Pensions take up money that should go to Illinois classrooms
Pensions take up money that should go to Illinois classrooms
Pension costs take a growing share of school funding, driving up property taxes and leaving less for teachers and students.
Every Illinois metro has fewer homes for sale than in 2018
Every Illinois metro has fewer homes for sale than in 2018
Illinois home prices have jumped 48% since 2018 while available housing inventory has plummeted across all 26 tracked metro areas, creating a housing crisis driven largely by restrictive zoning laws and the nation’s highest property taxes.
Using Microsoft, Salesforce, ChatGPT will cost more under Johnson’s Cloud Tax
Using Microsoft, Salesforce, ChatGPT will cost more under Johnson’s Cloud Tax
Microsoft, Salesforce, ChatGPT, Amazon Web Services and Zoom would all come with higher prices under Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s cloud tax.
Just 18% of Chicago Teachers Union spending is on representing teachers
Just 18% of Chicago Teachers Union spending is on representing teachers
The Chicago Teachers Union’ own federal reporting shows its members are not priority No.1.
Johnson’s “Protecting Chicago” budget proposes nearly $500M in tax hikes
Johnson’s “Protecting Chicago” budget proposes nearly $500M in tax hikes
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson describes the 2026 budget as “Protecting Chicago,” but his plan seems to do the opposite. Taxes on Artificial Intelligence, Uber rides and companies with 100+ employees are the biggest revenue sources.