More than 80 percent of Illinois counties saw population loss in 2017

By Bryce Hill, Austin Berg

03/22/2018

As outmigration fuels population decline throughout the state, Cook County saw the largest numeric population loss of any county in the nation.

TAGS: collar counties, Cook County, outmigration, U.S. Census Bureau

Report: $800M of property tax burden in Chicago shifted onto poorer homeowners from 2011-2015

By Amy Korte

03/16/2018

University of Chicago researchers have found inaccurate and unfair assessments by the Cook County Assessor’s Office led to $800 million of the property tax burden shifting from owners of Chicago homes in the top 10 percent (by sale price) to owners of homes in the bottom 70 percent.

TAGS: Cook County, Joseph Berrios, property taxes

Bill would bar Cook County elected officials from working as lobbyists, owning lobbying firms

By Austin Berg

03/07/2018

Countywide elected officials would be barred from working as registered lobbyists or owning a lobbying firm under a new bill in the General Assembly.

TAGS: Cook County, Joseph Berrios, lobbying

Employee claims jobs sold for up to $10K in Cook County Circuit Court Clerk’s office

By Vincent Caruso

03/02/2018

FBI investigations into Dorothy Brown's office have been underway for nearly five years, during which the clerk has disputed accusations of misconduct. But according to one employee interviewed by federal prosecutors, at least one of Brown's hires may have come with a $10,000 price tag.

TAGS: Cook County, corruption, patronage

Berrios fined $41K for donations from property tax appeals lawyers

By Brendan Bakala

01/18/2018

The Cook County assessor may have to pay $41,000 in fines for accepting donations in excess of the limit allowed by Cook County campaign finance rules.

TAGS: Cook County, Joseph Berrios, property taxes

Cook County state’s attorney approved $2M property tax settlement for Alderman Ed Burke’s client

By Amy Korte

01/16/2018

The office of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx signed off on a $2 million property tax settlement with the property tax firm headed by Foxx campaign donor Alderman Ed Burke.

TAGS: Cook County, Ed Burke, Joseph Berrios, property taxes

Planes, trains and automobiles: Chicago’s high travel taxes

By Brendan Bakala

12/20/2017

Chicago has some of the highest taxes on travelers in the nation.

TAGS: Airbnb, amusement tax, Chicago, collaborative economy, Cook County, hotel tax, Rahm Emanuel, rideshare, transportation

Investigation: Madigan firm the biggest player in commercial property tax appeals

By Austin Berg

12/08/2017

A new investigation by the Chicago Tribune and ProPublica Illinois reveals the mismanagement of the Cook County property tax system, and the politically connected firms who profit from it.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, cronyism, Ed Burke, Joseph Berrios, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan, property taxes, ProPublica, Steve Brown

Cook County’s notorious soda tax ends today

By Chris Lentino

12/01/2017

With the repeal of the Cook County sweetened beverage tax, taxpayers remind elected officials who they represent.

TAGS: Cook County, soda tax, Toni Preckwinkle

Cook County retirees to outnumber active employees in 2 years

By Chris Lentino

11/16/2017

Recently released data shows retirees outpacing active employees, adding pressure to an already stressed pension fund.

TAGS: 401(k), Cook County, municipal pensions, pensions