High rise: Evanston voters create a progressive ‘mansion tax’

By Vincent Caruso

11/15/2018

An increase in Evanston’s “mansion tax” will tighten the city’s squeeze on property owners making their way out the door.

TAGS: Evanston, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

Waste watch: Evanston spent $700K on lobbying and promotions despite budget deficit

By Vincent Caruso

10/11/2018

In an effort to close a $7.4 million shortfall, the city of Evanston’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year includes police and fire cuts along with a string of tax hikes – highlighting the need to trim government waste and push for structural reform in Springfield.

TAGS: budget, Evanston, lobbying, property taxes, taxes, waste

Evanston 6th in state to earn a 100% on online transparency audit

By Brian Costin

01/24/2014

The Illinois Policy Institute awarded the city of Evanston a Sunshine Award at the city’s Jan. 13 board meeting. By posting everything on the Illinois Policy Institute’s 10-Point Transparency Checklist, Evanston recently became the sixth local taxing body in Illinois to garner a perfect transparency score, joining Kane County, Hanover Township, Orland Park, Lombard and...

TAGS: Evanston, good government, Sunshine Award, transparency

The City of Evanston to food truck: You must apply for license our own law says you’ll never get

01/31/2013

A city ordinance that allows only food trucks run by licensed food establishments, such as brick-and-mortar restaurants, to operate there. Jim and Gabriel do not own a restaurant in Evanston, so they cannot qualify for a license.

TAGS: Evanston, liscense

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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