Chicago’s combined state and local taxpayer debt burden worst in the nation

By Justin Carlson

06/07/2022

Fiscal watchdog Truth in Accounting reports every Chicagoan is on the hook for $135,700 when combining city and state debt.

TAGS: Chicago, tax burden, Truth in Accounting

Chicago casino revenue doesn’t address 91% of city pension debt

By Dylan Sharkey

05/31/2022

The Chicago City Council approved a casino development in the River West neighborhood. The generated revenue will exclusively pay for pension debt, but only an estimated 9% of what the city needs.

TAGS: casino, Chicago, pension reform

79% of Illinois communities lose people in 2021; Chicago loses 45K

By Bryce Hill

05/25/2022

1,019 Illinois communities of all sizes shared in the loss of 114,000 residents in 2021, new census data shows. Chicago lost 40% of the total.

TAGS: Chicago, Illinois, outmigration, population

Lightfoot reacts to record Chicago speed camera tickets with limited relief

By Patrick Andriesen

04/25/2022

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced relief for low-income residents just weeks after an Illinois Policy Institute investigation found her lower threshold for speed camera tickets created more fines in 2021 than Chicago has residents.

TAGS: Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, speed cameras

Chicago ex-alderman charged with bribery might keep pension

By Justin Carlson

04/22/2022

Ex-Alderman Danny Solis handed federal prosecutors the top politicians in Chicago and the Statehouse to get out of bribery charges. His deal could let him keep his pension – a ploy too common in Illinois as voters consider Amendment 1’s potential for protecting pension abuse.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Danny Solis, pensions

Lightfoot orders her name on $12.5M in gas, transit cards

By Patrick Andriesen

04/21/2022

Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s name will be on 150,000 prepaid gas and transit cards she plans to raffle off to Chicagoans. She’s trying again after aldermen initially rejected the $12.5 million proposal as an election stunt.

TAGS: Chicago, gas prices, Lori Lightfoot

Speed cameras issue more tickets in 2021 than Chicago has residents

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

04/03/2022

Chicago drivers were issued more speed tickets in 2021 than there are city residents. Annual ticket revenues doubled, but fatal crashes still increased.

TAGS: Chicago, red light cameras, traffic safety

Lightfoot abandons gas tax cut for gas, transit card lottery

By Patrick Andriesen

04/01/2022

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot will raffle gas and mass transit cards instead of cutting her new 3-cent gas tax. The shift follows aldermen questioning how much a gas tax cut would cost the city.

TAGS: Chicago, gas prices, Lori Lightfoot

Lightfoot floats waiving Chicago’s gas tax until 2023

By Dylan Sharkey

03/28/2022

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she wants to roll back the 3-cent gas tax she got city leaders to impose. She wants to offer relief for city residents as some pay over $5 a gallon.

TAGS: Chicago, gas tax, Lori Lightfoot

Lightfoot considers ending Chicago gas tax amid record prices

By Patrick Andriesen

03/14/2022

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is considering a repeal of Chicago’s 8-cent-per-gallon gas tax to alleviate record-breaking prices. State gas taxes doubled in 2019 and state leaders are also considering a repeal.

TAGS: Chicago, gas tax

Chicago

Chicago’s combined state and local taxpayer debt burden worst in the nation

Chicago casino revenue doesn’t address 91% of city pension debt

79% of Illinois communities lose people in 2021; Chicago loses 45K

Lightfoot reacts to record Chicago speed camera tickets with limited relief

Chicago ex-alderman charged with bribery might keep pension

Lightfoot orders her name on $12.5M in gas, transit cards

Speed cameras issue more tickets in 2021 than Chicago has residents

Lightfoot abandons gas tax cut for gas, transit card lottery

Lightfoot floats waiving Chicago’s gas tax until 2023

Lightfoot considers ending Chicago gas tax amid record prices

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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