Village of Rosemont spent more than $64 million on entertainment in 3-year span

By Joe Kaiser

10/25/2018

Despite its residents dealing with a high county and state tax burden, the village of Rosemont has spent millions on frivolous entertainment costs in recent years. Taxpayers shelled out $65,000 for pizza joint.

TAGS: budget, Rosemont, Spending, taxes, TIF: Tax Increment Financing, waste

Politically connected Rosemont employee earns 5 times the typical area household

By Joe Kaiser

10/16/2018

Christopher Stephens’ family ties landed him a position in local government – and an annual income far eclipsing that of local taxpayers.

TAGS: Brad Stephens, Christopher Stephens, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont

Haribo to create 55 new jobs in Rosemont for $1.67M in EDGE tax breaks

By Brendan Bakala

10/16/2017

Under its agreement with the state of Illinois, the candy company Haribo of America will bring 25 new jobs to its Rosemont headquarters by October 2018, followed by another 30 by October 2021.

TAGS: EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, jobs, Rosemont

Rosemont to build taxpayer-funded baseball stadium

By Joe Kaiser

05/24/2017

The village of Rosemont is moving forward on a $60 million taxpayer-funded baseball stadium.

TAGS: budget, cronyism, Rosemont, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Illinois has some of the highest paid mayors in the world

By Joe Kaiser

03/22/2017

State and local tax hikes in Illinois have hurt economic growth, lowered the standard of living, and contributed to out-migration.

TAGS: Brad Stephens, LGDF: Local Government Distributive Fund, mayor, property taxes, Rosemont

Rosemont mayor to receive 53 percent pay hike — to $260,000 a year

By Joe Kaiser

08/13/2016

Trustees in Rosemont, Ill., voted to hike their mayor’s salary to $260,000 – a 53 percent raise.

TAGS: Brad Stephens, local government, Rosemont

2019 Illinois corruption tracker

Illinois is the second-most corrupt state in the nation, according to the University of Illinois-Chicago. And corruption costs the state economy at least $550 million per year. But the size and scope of government corruption is nothing new for Illinoisans. What is new? Powerful Illinois lawmakers, Chicago aldermen, local mayors and business interests are involved...

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2019 Illinois corruption tracker

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Al Lashbrook

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

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