Poverty in Chicago higher in 2022 than before War on Poverty

By Bryce Hill, Dylan Sharkey

09/27/2023

Nearly 60 years after the U.S. began the War on Poverty, the rate of Chicagoans living in poverty is higher than it was before the effort. National poverty rates have fluctuated between 11-15%, defying solutions and perpetuating dependence.

TAGS: Chicago

Chicago poverty higher than San Francisco, Los Angeles

By Bryce Hill, Dylan Sharkey

09/27/2023

Chicago has one of the highest poverty rates among the nation’s biggest cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles.

TAGS: Chicago

Vallas: Chicago needs tools, transparency for responsible budgeting

By Paul Vallas

09/27/2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is continuing the mayoral tradition of giving the City Council and public too little time and too little information before a deficit city budget is passed. There’s little chance that will change soon, but it could be fixed.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, 48 aldermen accept pay raises

By Patrick Andriesen

09/26/2023

Despite budget experts predicting a $538 million shortfall next year between Chicago’s spending and revenues, only two city leaders opted to forgo automatic pay raises provided to top public servants in September. The mayor and 48 aldermen took theirs.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

What does Chicago’s mayor need to impose his revised ‘mansion tax’?

By Joe Tabor

08/24/2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has reportedly compromised on his proposed mansion tax in favor of a graduated real estate tax. What needs to happen before he can start collecting the extra taxes?

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Vallas: After 100 days, trying to make sense of Johnson’s plans for Chicago

By Paul Vallas

08/22/2023

If the slow start of the Johnson administration is any indication, Chicagoans could be looking at four years without any meaningful government reform.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Chicago gun violence by neighborhood: South, West sides remain most dangerous

By Patrick Andriesen

08/10/2023

Chicago Police Department reports show shootings in 2022 were 32% higher than 2019. Shootings in the Loop tripled during that time.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Up 40% or down 40%, Chicago property taxes all over the map

By Josh Bandoch

08/07/2023

Chicago’s residential property taxes between 2020 and 2021 were pretty volatile. Don’t be happy about a big drop, though, because it might mean your home isn’t worth as much.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes

Lollapalooza ticket price up to $392 higher with Chicago tax

By Patrick Andriesen

07/27/2023

The typical concertgoer will pay an extra $35 for their general admission ticket to Lollapalooza, thanks to the city’s amusment tax. A platinum pass will cost visitors more than the price of a standard ticket in taxes alone.

TAGS: Chicago, Lollapalooza

Vallas: A real strategy for containing out-of-control violence in Chicago

By Paul Vallas

07/17/2023

Chicago can’t afford to wait on immediate crime reduction efforts – the city needs a plan. Unfortunately, no concrete details have emerged on how the new administration plans to address public safety, the No. 1 issue on Chicagoans’ minds. Here are nine steps Chicago officials could take to begin curbing crime today.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Center for Poverty Solutions: How to better assess poverty in Chicago and America

America’s War on Poverty has been an abject failure. Nearly $12 trillion and 60 years later, official poverty rates remain basically unchanged. While the nation waged a well-intentioned assault on poverty, it inadvertently launched a far more sinister war: on dignity. While attempting to eradicate poverty, America created countless government welfare programs. In doing so,...

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Center for Poverty Solutions: How to better assess poverty in Chicago and America

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Symara Moses

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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