Shell game: Chicago considers plan to borrow $10B to pay off pension debt

By Adam Schuster

08/09/2018

Previous pension obligation bonds in Illinois have increased costs to taxpayers and done nothing to solve the fiscal challenges created by the pension system.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, municipal pensions, pensions, Rahm Emanuel

Nearly a third of property tax revenue in Chicago is diverted into 143 TIF districts

By Chris Lentino

07/26/2018

Nearly a third of property tax revenue in Chicago is diverted into 143 TIF districts controlled by the mayor, nearly half of which are located in affluent neighborhoods.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, Cook County, John F. Curran, property taxes, Rahm Emanuel, TIF: Tax Increment Financing, William Davis

Rahm’s proposal would push Chicago Airbnb taxes above 23 percent

By Eddie Damstra

06/17/2018

The mayor’s proposed 2 percent fee would punish short-term rental customers and providers.

TAGS: Airbnb, budget, Chicago, homesharing, Rahm Emanuel, sharing economy, taxes

Amazon scouts to visit Chicago for headquarters bid

By Brendan Bakala

03/20/2018

Amazon’s team will visit 10 proposed sites in Chicago for its second North American headquarters.

TAGS: Amazon, Chicago, EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, Rahm Emanuel, tax credits

Tax Olympics: Chicago tops the table on taxes and fees

By Chris Lentino

02/14/2018

In a comparative analysis of taxes and fees in the nation's top 15 cities, Chicago won first place more times than any other city.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, outmigration, population, property taxes, Rahm Emanuel, sales tax, taxes, wireless tax

390,000 drivers set to receive refunds for red-light and speed camera tickets

By Brendan Bakala

01/30/2018

Nearly 4 in 10 of those eligible for refunds made a claim for an average refund check of $36.62.

TAGS: Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, red light cameras

‘Sinkhole city’: Accounting watchdog gives Chicago an F in fiscal health

By Vincent Caruso

01/26/2018

A recent analysis ranked 75 of the most populated cities in terms of fiscal health - and placed the Windy City next to dead-last.

TAGS: Chicago, debt, Rahm Emanuel, taxes

Planes, trains and automobiles: Chicago’s high travel taxes

By Brendan Bakala

12/20/2017

Chicago has some of the highest taxes on travelers in the nation.

TAGS: Airbnb, amusement tax, Chicago, collaborative economy, Cook County, hotel tax, Rahm Emanuel, rideshare, transportation

Chicago Public Schools CEO resigns following ethics investigation

By Brendan Bakala

12/08/2017

Forrest Claypool will step down as the head of Chicago Public Schools after the CPS inspector general recommended his firing.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, Forrest Claypool, Rahm Emanuel

Chicago loses Mars Wrigley US candy headquarters bid to New Jersey, takes 200 jobs with it

By Vincent Caruso

12/06/2017

A year after announcing the Mars Wrigley Confectionery project, the candy giant will scrap its plans to expand its Chicago presence and instead encamp in Newark, New Jersey.

TAGS: Chicago, jobs, Rahm Emanuel

Rahm Emanuel

Shell game: Chicago considers plan to borrow $10B to pay off pension debt

Nearly a third of property tax revenue in Chicago is diverted into 143 TIF districts

Rahm’s proposal would push Chicago Airbnb taxes above 23 percent

Amazon scouts to visit Chicago for headquarters bid

Tax Olympics: Chicago tops the table on taxes and fees

390,000 drivers set to receive refunds for red-light and speed camera tickets

‘Sinkhole city’: Accounting watchdog gives Chicago an F in fiscal health

Planes, trains and automobiles: Chicago’s high travel taxes

Chicago Public Schools CEO resigns following ethics investigation

Chicago loses Mars Wrigley US candy headquarters bid to New Jersey, takes 200 jobs with it

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