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Restrictions ease, but Chicago cites 5 bars, restaurants over COVID rules

By Laura Bianchi
03/11/2021
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is allowing bars and restaurants to be open later and increase capacity, but city inspectors are looking for COVID-19 rules violations. Five restaurants and bars were just cited.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, Lori Lightfoot, regulations

Chicago speed cameras write 1 ticket every 12 seconds

By Patrick Andriesen
03/03/2021
Revenue projections estimate red-light cameras will generate 2.7 million $35 tickets in a full year, bringing in $95.5 million for the city.

TAGS: Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, speed cameras, ticketing

Chicago’s higher property taxes hit March 2

By Brad Weisenstein
03/01/2021
Cook County’s first property tax payments are due March 2. In Chicago, property taxes have grown more than 3 times faster than inflation for 20 years.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, pensions, property taxes

Chicago’s speed cameras start churning out $35 tickets March 1

By Patrick Andriesen
03/01/2021
Chicago’s mayor said speed cameras will enforce a lowered tolerance March 1 as a way to curb traffic fatalities. Critics see the $35 tickets as a money grab when residents are still reeling from the COVID-19 economic downturn.

TAGS: Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, speed limit, ticketing

Chicago had $41,100 in debt per taxpayer before COVID-19, second to New York

By Justin Carlson
02/11/2021
A new report from government finance watchdog Truth in Accounting gave the Windy City an “F” for financial health. Chicago’s massive $36 billion net debt stems primarily from pensions.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, debt, pensions

Pritzker to decide COLA increase for Chicago firefighter pensions, with $850M price tag

By Adam Schuster
01/15/2021
Over the objections of Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who called the legislation “irresponsible,” state lawmakers passed a bill to increase the cost-of-living adjustment for 2,200 Chicago firefighter pensions to 3% from 1.5%. Gov. J.B. Pritzker should veto it.

TAGS: Chicago, debt, firefighter pensions, JB Pritzker

Illinois’ sales taxes make holiday shopping painful reminder of fiscal woes

By Ann Miller
12/18/2020
Sales taxes can exceed 10% in Illinois depending on where consumers do their holiday shopping. The average has been creeping up in recent years.

TAGS: Chicago, Christmas, sales tax

Chicago drivers to see third gas tax increase in 18 months

By Ben Szalinski
12/15/2020
Chicago leaders are using another gas tax hike to help fill a budget hole driven by pensions. Total gas taxes and fees are closing in on $1 per gallon.

TAGS: Chicago, gas tax, Lori Lightfoot

Gas tax, property tax, ticket and fee hikes all part of Lightfoot budget

By Ben Szalinski
12/04/2020
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is trying to raise revenue to close large revenue gaps partially brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, gas tax, Lori Lightfoot, property tax, property taxes

Chicago taxpayers on the hook for extra $2 billion under Lightfoot plan

By Ben Szalinski
11/21/2020
Lightfoot’s budget depends on borrowing and property tax hikes.

TAGS: borrowing, Chicago, debt, Lori Lightfoot, property taxes

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Budget + Tax / Research Report

Illinois Forward 2022: COVID-19 makes pension reform imperative to protecting taxpayers, services for vulnerable Illinoisans


Illinois has a chance to fix its state finances, thanks to federal relief. But unless pension growth is brought under control, both retirees and taxpayers will be at risk as debt continues to consume state services.

View Report

Report Archive

Education / Your Story

Brigette Barber

Jobs + Growth / Policy Point

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

By J. Scott Moody, Wendy Warcholik
07/07/2014
Illinois Policy In the News

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students

By Ted Dabrowski
05/02/2016

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Illinois' comeback story starts here