Yohna Hornbuckle: 50% property tax rise threatens Rantoul man’s homeownership

By Jess Plowman

06/16/2025

Illinois is No. 1 in the nation for property taxes, an uncomfortable reality for Rantoul homeowner Yohna Hornbuckle. His property taxes are up 50% in six years and threaten his ability to stay.

TAGS: outmigration, property taxes

Here’s how Pritzker can stop bad bills out of Illinois General Assembly

By Joe Tabor

06/02/2025

With the Illinois state legislative session ended, bills will start crossing the governor’s desk, some containing tax hikes, unaffordable spending and needless regulation. Here’s how Gov. J.B. Pritzker can stop these bad policies from becoming law.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, property taxes, taxes

Chicago schools property taxes up 62% in 15 years

By Patrick Andriesen

05/06/2025

The median Chicago residence paid $2,059 in property taxes just to support Chicago Public Schools in 2024, 62% more than they paid 15 years ago. More than half of a Chicago homeowners’ property tax bill now goes to CPS.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, property taxes

Chicago Teachers Union contract bumps average teacher from $86K to over $114K

By Bryce Hill

04/11/2025

The average Chicago Public Schools teacher will see their salary increase to more than $114,000 by the 2027-2028 school year. Just the raises will cost Chicagoans up to $1.25 billion.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, property taxes

Cook County property tax bills up 78% as values rise 7%

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

03/27/2025

Typical property tax bill increased 78% on a Cook County residence since 2007. Median property values only rose 7.3%. That leaves residents paying $2,558 more a year in property taxes while their biggest investment fails to keep up with inflation.

TAGS: property taxes

Chicago area gets over 96K international migrants in 2024; 238K since 2020

By Bryce Hill

03/12/2025

Chicagoland’s population has been boosted by international migrants in recent years. But 347,000 residents left for other states since April 2020.

TAGS: outmigration, population, property taxes

How to vote in your April 1 election

By Dylan Sharkey

03/11/2025

Groceries, schools and public safety are all affected by local elections taking place April 1. Here’s what to know.

TAGS: Election Day, Illinois voting, property taxes

Illinois property taxes No. 2, double national average in 2025

By Patrick Andriesen

03/01/2025

Illinois families will pay the second-highest property tax rate in the nation in 2025, spending more than double what the average American family will spend to stay in the same home. That’s driving Illinoisans away.

TAGS: property taxes

Unfunded mandates keep property taxes high

By Joe Tabor

02/10/2025

When local governments must comply with a new state law, it often increases costs. Those costs are passed on to the taxpayer.

TAGS: property taxes, unfunded mandates

Digital licenses, shampoo bottles, $15 wage: Illinois’ new laws for 2025

By Dylan Sharkey

01/01/2025

New Years’ Day means hundreds of new laws on the books, including one allowing residents to get a digital version of their driver’s license.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, pensions, property taxes

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