Round Lake Park’s police pension crisis could result in state intervention

By Brendan Bakala

04/20/2018

Under Illinois law, towns that miss required pension contributions risk state intervention. In 2016, Round Lake Park paid less than 40 percent of its required pension contribution.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

Report: Average collar county property tax bill reaches as high as $8,890

By Joe Kaiser

04/16/2018

Homeowners in Chicago’s collar counties faced some of the highest average property tax bills in the state in 2017.

TAGS: DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County, property taxes, taxes, Will County

Report: Rock Island County property tax rate more than double the national average

By Austin Berg

04/16/2018

Single-family homeowners in Rock Island County pay an average property tax bill above $2,800, according to a new report.

TAGS: outmigration, property taxes, taxes

Harvey pension crisis leads to mass layoffs

By Adam Schuster

04/11/2018

Police, firemen and other government workers will be laid off to cover pension costs.

TAGS: Edgar Ramp, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

Proposed Belleville budget hikes taxes on residents

By Brendan Bakala

04/07/2018

The proposed $100.8 million budget will spend millions on police and fire pensions as well as a 3 percent pay raise for city workers.

TAGS: Belleville, fees, property taxes, taxes

Chicago Park District pension reform ruled unconstitutional

By Adam Schuster

04/05/2018

The ruling will likely mean higher taxes for Chicagoans.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago Park District, COLA, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

Lake County homeowners: Where do your property taxes go?

By Vincent Caruso

03/28/2018

In 2017 alone, Lake County billed homeowners $1.8 billion in property taxes. Owners of a median-valued home in Lake Forest received a $13,600 property tax bill.

TAGS: Lake County, property taxes, taxes

Crystal Lake superintendent to earn $190K salary following school district vote

By Vincent Caruso

03/23/2018

One Crystal Lake school district superintendent has become the latest public official to collect a salary nearing $200,000, following a vote by the district board.

TAGS: pensions, property taxes, salaries, school district consolidation

Alton voters to decide on sales tax hike at the ballot box

By Amanda McDonald

03/19/2018

Madison County voters have rejected a proposed 1 percent sales tax hike twice before. Will the third time be a charm?

TAGS: Madison County, property taxes, sales tax

Lake Forest city manager outearns all 50 state governors

By Vincent Caruso

03/19/2018

In Illinois, hundreds of municipal workers earn more than every state governor. The city manager of Lake Forest is the second-highest paid city manager in the state.

TAGS: property taxes, salaries, Spending