Amendment 1 vote too close to call

By Dylan Sharkey

11/09/2022

Votes were still being counted on Amendment 1, but the vote was very close. If approved, the change to the Illinois Constitution would expand collective bargaining powers just for government unions.

TAGS: Amendment 1, labor, property taxes

Property taxes rise nearly $4B under Pritzker

By Bryce Hill

11/03/2022

Illinoisans will have paid an extra $3.94 billion in property taxes during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s term. Four years ago he campaigned on a promise of property tax relief.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, property taxes

Amendment 1 could lock in $4B statewide property tax hike

By Bryce Hill

10/31/2022

Total property tax extensions are on pace to total more than $40 billion by 2026, $4 billion more than at present. Amendment 1’s expansion of government union power would likely accelerate that increase.

TAGS: Amendment 1, property taxes, workers rights

Amendment 1 could lock in $2B residential property tax hike

By Bryce Hill

10/31/2022

Statewide residential property tax extensions are on pace to total more than $24 billion by 2026, which is $2 billion more than the current total. Amendment 1’s expansion of government union power would likely accelerate that $2 billion increase.

TAGS: Amendment 1, property taxes, workers rights

Debate fact check: Property taxes haven’t gone down under Pritzker

By Dylan Sharkey

10/07/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker took the debate stage claiming property taxes in Illinois have gone down thanks to his administration. In truth, the average Illinois family is paying over $2,000 more in property taxes than before he took office.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, property taxes

Amendment 1 could lock in $1.8B commercial property tax hike

By Bryce Hill

10/07/2022

Statewide commercial property tax extensions are on pace to total $11.3 billion by 2026. Amendment 1’s expansion of government union power would likely accelerate that $1.8 billion increase.

TAGS: Amendment 1, property taxes

Experts: Expect future Chicago property tax hikes without pension reform

By Patrick Andriesen

10/06/2022

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot earmarked $442 million to help pay down Chicago’s $46.9 billion pension debt. The Civic Federation said stop-gap measures will only delay future property tax hikes unless there’s statewide pension reform.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes

Cook County voters face 2 property tax hike proposals

10/04/2022

Both forest preserve leaders and government unions are asking Cook County voters for more property taxes on Nov. 8.

TAGS: Cook County, property taxes

Cook County sends property tax bills by Thanksgiving, due after Christmas

By Patrick Andriesen

09/28/2022

Happy holidays, Cook County homeowners. The second installment of your property tax bills will arrive around Thanksgiving. They won’t be due until after Christmas but before New Year’s.

TAGS: Cook County, property taxes

Fact check: Homeowners worse off under Pritzker

By Dylan Sharkey

09/27/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker stressed the importance of homeownership in Illinois. Under his administration, homeowners have seen their property taxes grow by $2,288.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, property taxes

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension costs, including pension bond...

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Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

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Susie Warden

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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