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