Chicago average property taxes up $72 to $180, driven by pension debt

By Dylan Sharkey

09/21/2021

Chicago homeowners are likely to see average property tax bills rise between $72 and $180 based on the city’s new budget. Higher taxes are driven by $47 billion in pension debt, but pension reform can change that.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, property taxes

COVID-19 vaccination proof might be required to dine out in Chicago

By Robert Brutvan

09/13/2021

A group of Chicago aldermen have called for residents to prove their COVID-19 vaccination status before allowing them to attend indoor venues such as restaurants, bars and theaters

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, Vax Pass

Chicago ranks No. 2 in the nation for combined state and local sales tax

By Patrick Andriesen

08/31/2021

The Windy City tied with four other major cities as imposing the nation’s second highest sales tax on residents among 124 considered. The report warns the city’s new status could be costing Chicago businesses their competitive edge.

TAGS: Chicago, taxes

Illinois delays selling beleaguered Thompson Center in Chicago

By Noah Shaar

08/18/2021

Illinois is again delaying the sale of the Thompson Center state office building in Chicago, which was neglected until the state could no longer afford to fix it. The state’s new delay is to take advantage of zoning changes and in the hope office space prices rebound.

TAGS: Chicago, Thompson Center

Rural areas lose to cities amid Illinois’ historic population loss

By Bryce Hill

08/13/2021

Chicago and other urban areas in Illinois gained people compared to the rural areas, with 87 of 102 counties losing people in the 2020 U.S. Census.

TAGS: Chicago, Illinois, population, U.S. Census Bureau

Chicago’s debt grows to $43,700 per taxpayer despite federal COVID-19 aid

By Perry Zhao

08/10/2021

Fiscal watchdog Truth in Accounting’s July 2021 report showed the Windy City’s pension-fueled debt rose by $2.3 billion from 2019 to 2020 despite receiving substantial federal aid during the pandemic.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, debt

Chicago almost hits bottom rank of 150 cities for high cost, poor services

By Luke Schafer

07/30/2021

Out of 150 cities, Chicago came in almost at the bottom when the quality of city services and the total budget per capita were ranked, confirming what most Chicagoans already knew.

TAGS: Chicago, government spending, taxes

Chicago’s unemployment recovery near dead last for big cities

By Patrick Andriesen

07/09/2021

A national study ranked Chicago’s unemployment recovery 172nd out of the 180 most-populous U.S. cities. Lawmakers didn’t help when they imposed $655 million in new taxes on the state’s job creators.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, unemployment

Feds indict Chicago alderman for trading city favors for home improvements

By Patrick Andriesen

07/06/2021

Chicago’s second-longest-serving alderman became the third sitting Chicago City Council member to come under federal indictment. She faces bribery charges.

TAGS: Carrie Austin, Chicago, corruption

Chicago and Cook County raise minimum wage today

By Patrick Andriesen

07/01/2021

The minimum wage for residents working in Chicago and Cook County is increasing July 1. Research suggests the rise in wage rates will benefit the working Chicagoans at the expense of the city’s vulnerable unemployed.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, minimum wage