Fact check: No other state constitution has a provision similar to Amendment 1

By Mailee Smith

08/10/2022

Proponents of Amendment 1 claim other state constitutions include similar language, but that is just wrong. Amendment 1 would cement into the Illinois Constitution government union powers that no other state sees as smart.

TAGS: Amendment 1, property taxes, unions, workers rights

Misleading new ad claims Amendment 1 protects Illinois nurses

By Mailee Smith

08/10/2022

Despite proponents’ claims, Amendment 1 would give union rights only to state and local government workers. Yet a new ad by proponents implies it will help nurses in all sectors care for their patients.

TAGS: Amendment 1, constitutional amendment, property taxes, taxes, unions, workers rights

‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ would hike workers’ property taxes by $2,100

By Mailee Smith

07/31/2022

Despite proponents’ claims, Amendment 1 would give union rights only to state and local government workers – who make up just 7% of Illinois adults. It would give $2,100 property tax hikes to everyone.

TAGS: Amendment 1, property taxes, unions

Highest inflation in 40 years deals Illinoisans $2,900 pay cut

By Bryce Hill

07/21/2022

Wages have failed to keep up with inflation, dropping Illinoisans’ purchasing power by $2,900 on average.

TAGS: Amendment 1, gas prices, inflation, interest rates, property taxes

Lightfoot policy change could quadruple Chicago property tax hike in 2023

By Dylan Sharkey

07/19/2022

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s decision to tie property taxes to inflation in 2020 is coming back to bite taxpayers.

TAGS: Chicago, inflation, Lori Lightfoot, property taxes

AFSCME puts $100K into campaign guaranteeing $2,100 property tax hike

By Mailee Smith

07/07/2022

Illinois’ largest state worker union has a long history of demanding higher taxes. Now AFSCME is funding a state constitutional amendment campaign that will hike property taxes statewide.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Amendment 1, property taxes

Amendment 1 would guarantee $2,100 property tax hike for typical Illinois family

By Bryce Hill

06/15/2022

A proposed change to the Illinois Constitution would effectively transfer power over taxpayer money to government worker unions. The trend of property tax hikes would likely grow even worse during the next four years.

TAGS: Amendment 1, Illinois, property taxes

Illinois is No. 1 in government units, keeping property taxes sky high

By Dylan Sharkey

05/22/2022

Illinois has 6,032 local governments, the most in the nation by a wide margin – and that excludes 859 school districts. It’s the main reason Illinoisans pay the nation’s second-highest property taxes.

TAGS: Citizens Empowerment Act, local government consolidation, property taxes

Chicago pension debt drove city property taxes up 164% before COVID-19

By Adam Schuster

02/28/2022

City property taxes rose 30% faster than in suburban Cook County from 2000 to 2019. Record inflation in 2022 will bring increases statewide in 2023.

TAGS: Chicago, Illinois, pensions, property taxes

High cost of government shrinks Illinois’ workforce

By Orphe Divounguy

02/10/2022

Population decline has shrunk Illinois’ workforce and the relative size of the state economy. Attracting more workers from other states starts with lowering the cost of living, decreasing pension costs and debt, and improving the state’s social services.

TAGS: Illinois, jobs, labor force participation rate, property taxes, unemployment

property taxes

Fact check: No other state constitution has a provision similar to Amendment 1

Misleading new ad claims Amendment 1 protects Illinois nurses

‘Workers’ Rights Amendment’ would hike workers’ property taxes by $2,100

Highest inflation in 40 years deals Illinoisans $2,900 pay cut

Lightfoot policy change could quadruple Chicago property tax hike in 2023

AFSCME puts $100K into campaign guaranteeing $2,100 property tax hike

Amendment 1 would guarantee $2,100 property tax hike for typical Illinois family

Illinois is No. 1 in government units, keeping property taxes sky high

Chicago pension debt drove city property taxes up 164% before COVID-19

High cost of government shrinks Illinois’ workforce

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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