Chicago Police Department audit reveals millions lost in overtime abuse and waste

By Brendan Bakala

10/04/2017

The city’s police department has gone over budget for overtime every year for the past six years, costing Chicago taxpayers $575 million in spending for overtime pay.

TAGS: Chicago, CPD: Chicago Police Department, criminal justice reform, police, police misconduct

Chicago looks to add 50 “super” ticket writers to increase revenues

By Chris Lentino

09/29/2017

As Chicago faces a budget gap approaching $260 million, one alderman suggests more ticketing to close the shortfall.

TAGS: Chicago, fees, Raymond Lopez

KFC parent company sued over improper application of Cook County soda tax

By Brendan Bakala

09/22/2017

Cook County’s penny-per-ounce sweetened beverage tax has led to another lawsuit alleging a restaurant applied the tax incorrectly.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, soda tax, taxes

Illinois waits for Superman, does Amazon wear the cape?

By Austin Berg

09/14/2017

Amazon’s plans to hire 50,000 workers at the new headquarters would single-handedly shift the city and state’s economic landscape.

TAGS: Amazon, Bruce Rauner, Chicago, jobs, Rahm Emanuel

Chicago tops list of cities residents are leaving

09/14/2017

A new report from moving company United Van Lines shows more residents left Chicago during the summer moving months than any other metro area.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, outmigration, population, United Van Lines

Cook County isn’t buying soda tax health concerns

By Brendan Bakala

09/13/2017

A We Ask America poll shows 87.5 percent of respondents think Cook County commissioners support the sweetened beverage tax for reasons other than health.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, soda tax, taxes, Toni Preckwinkle

Each Chicago household on the hook for $82K in local government debt

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

09/11/2017

After a tax hike spree from Chicago-area politicians, residents are stuck paying more only to carry an ever-larger load of debt.

TAGS: Chicago, debt, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, Rahm Emanuel

State, federal lawmakers pave the way for self-driving cars in Illinois

By Amy Korte

09/08/2017

As Illinois’ state government and the federal government move toward promoting the development of autonomous vehicles, Chicago aldermen are taking a combative stance against the budding industry.

TAGS: autonomous vehicles, Bruce Rauner, Chicago, driverless cars, Ed Burke, regulations

Rahm courting Amazon for move to Chicago

By Brendan Bakala

09/07/2017

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel reportedly spoke with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to lure Amazon’s second headquarters to Chicago.

TAGS: Amazon, Chicago, EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, Rahm Emanuel

Voters could flex their muscles after sticker shock from soda tax

By Chris Lentino

09/07/2017

Recent polls show Cook County officials could face electoral backlash for supporting the soda tax.

TAGS: Chicago, soda tax, taxes

Chicago

Chicago Police Department audit reveals millions lost in overtime abuse and waste

Chicago looks to add 50 “super” ticket writers to increase revenues

KFC parent company sued over improper application of Cook County soda tax

Illinois waits for Superman, does Amazon wear the cape?

Chicago tops list of cities residents are leaving

Cook County isn’t buying soda tax health concerns

Each Chicago household on the hook for $82K in local government debt

State, federal lawmakers pave the way for self-driving cars in Illinois

Rahm courting Amazon for move to Chicago

Voters could flex their muscles after sticker shock from soda tax

Who Lives Below the Poverty Line in Illinois? Family Structure and Education Mark the Highest Risk

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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