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

House bill would lower property taxes by trimming Illinois government waste

By Justin Carlson

02/03/2022

Illinois leads the nation in local government bloat, with over 6,000 taxing bodies. The Citizen’s Empowerment Act, sponsored by Illinois House Rep. Jonathan Carroll, would make it easier for Illinois taxpayers to dissolve unnecessary layers of government.

TAGS: Illinois, Jonathan Carroll, local government consolidation, property taxes, waste

Chicago property taxes nearly doubled in a decade

By Orphe Divounguy

02/03/2022

Chicago property taxpayers face a nearly 5% hike this year after a decade in which their bills nearly doubled. The city failed to capitalize on the COVID-19 stimulus windfall like others did.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes

Chicago property tax hikes cause housing struggles for seniors

By Patrick Andriesen

12/17/2021

A report on rapid growth among Cook County’s senior population found nearly 60% spend more than 30% of their income on rent. Experts insist on more county housing options or tactics to lower costs.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes

Property taxes still rob ‘Home Alone’ house

By Dylan Sharkey

12/07/2021

Property taxes are the real thieves attacking the house used in the holiday movie ‘Home Alone.’ The house is available for a one-night stay this holiday, but not all taxes are included.

TAGS: home alone, Illinois, property taxes

Steep property tax hikes to hit Chicago businesses struggling from pandemic

By Amy Korte

11/02/2021

While phasing in the tax impact of sharp increases in assessed value could help Cook County’s commercial property owners adjust, holding down property taxes requires reducing spending through public pension reform in Illinois.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, COVID-19, property taxes, small business

Chicago budget hands $500 monthly to some, higher property taxes to others

By Brad Weisenstein

10/27/2021

Chicago will spend $32 million on the nation’s largest test of universal basic income. What happens after that year is one question, as is whether handing out cash will truly fix anything.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, property taxes, UBI: Universal Basic Income

Illinois’ rising property taxes driven by $75 billion local pension debt

By Adam Schuster

09/27/2021

Rapidly rising property taxes and growing pension costs leave homeowners asked to pay more to get less. Relief requires structural pension reform, starting with a constitutional amendment.

TAGS: Illinois, pensions, property taxes

$119.5M later, Southern Illinois taxpayers still trying to get airport off ground

By Brad Weisenstein

09/27/2021

An underused airport near Belleville, Illinois, has required local taxpayers to chip in $119.5 million since 2002 to keep it operating. Even with pandemic money, 2020 was even worse.

TAGS: MidAmerica Airport, property taxes, St. Clair County

property taxes

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

High cost of government shrinks Illinois’ workforce

House bill would lower property taxes by trimming Illinois government waste

Chicago property taxes nearly doubled in a decade

Chicago property tax hikes cause housing struggles for seniors

Property taxes still rob ‘Home Alone’ house

Steep property tax hikes to hit Chicago businesses struggling from pandemic

Chicago budget hands $500 monthly to some, higher property taxes to others

Illinois’ rising property taxes driven by $75 billion local pension debt

$119.5M later, Southern Illinois taxpayers still trying to get airport off ground

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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