3 ways to balance Chicago’s next budget without tax hikes

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

01/20/2025

Chicago might have just avoided a property tax hike, but city leaders couldn’t figure out how to pass the 2025 budget without other tax and fee increases. Here’s what the city should do to avoid repeating the same budgeting mistakes next year.

TAGS: Chicago

Proposed law would let Chicagoans recall Mayor Johnson in special election

By Mailee Smith

01/14/2025

House Bill 1084 would provide relief to the 70% of voters disapproving of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson by creating a process to recall the mayor.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

How many gang crimes occurred in your Chicago neighborhood?

By Patrick Andriesen

01/13/2025

How often did gang crimes happen in your Chicago neighborhood? Here’s what the Chicago Police data shows.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Illinois population grows in 2024 despite 56K residents leaving for other states

By Bryce Hill

12/19/2024

A massive influx of 112,955 international migrants boosted Illinois population in 2024, new Census Bureau data shows. Buses from Texas likely grew Illinois’ population.

TAGS: Chicago, outmigration, population

Chicago mayor gets budget without his $300M in property tax hikes

By Ravi Mishra, LyLena Estabine

12/17/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was denied a $300 million property tax hike, then a $150 million property tax hike, then a $68.5 million property tax hike. He got his 2025 city budget, and aldermen forced him to keep his campaign pledge not to raise property taxes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago, property taxes

Johnson proposes 11 tax and fee hikes totaling $234M

By Dylan Sharkey

12/11/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget includes $233.9 million in tax hikes including rideshare prices and streaming services. It has already passed a key committee in the city council.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes, taxes

Exclude staff costs, Chicago spending still spiked $3.6B in just 6 years

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

12/10/2024

Chicago’s 2025 budget is facing a nearly $1 billion gap. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to close it: increase taxes. The city’s rising non-personnel costs, now at $6.6 billion, will outpace its grant funding, squeeze taxpayers and increase regressive fees.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Chicago drivers face lower speed limit, more cameras after $28M fine drop

By Patrick Andriesen

12/10/2024

Chicago speed cameras sent drivers $28 million less in tickets through September than during the first nine months of 2023. Annual revenues could spike again under proposals to drop the citywide speed limit or boost the number of cameras.

TAGS: Chicago

Senior advisor to Brandon Johnson voted in Texas this November, raising questions about residency

By Austin Berg

12/06/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s senior advisor Jason Lee cast his vote in Texas this November, but Chicago city government requires its employees to reside within city limits.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago, Jason Lee

Chicago mayor refuses to stop pushing $300M in tax hikes

By Matheus Cosso

11/27/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wanted a $300 million property tax hike for his big budget. All 50 aldermen said “no.” So then he asked for $150 million and a 35% tax on liquor. Johnson fails to admit it’s not about taxes, it’s about making changes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago