Waste watch: Illinois uses temporary federal aid to fund ongoing social programs

By Geoff Feinstein

02/19/2026

Illinois lawmakers diverted at least $74 million in one-time pandemic relief funds to select social programs and nonprofits.

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

By Joe Tabor

02/10/2025

Published Feb. 10, 2025 Even though federal COVID relief funds provided an unexpected windfall, that one-time jolt of cash could leave many Illinois localities even worse off than they were before. That boost in revenue allowed local governments to put off difficult budgeting decisions, and as that revenue dries up, municipalities will have to contend...

Chicago mayor gets budget without his $300M in property tax hikes

By Ravi Mishra, LyLena Estabine

12/17/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was denied a $300 million property tax hike, then a $150 million property tax hike, then a $68.5 million property tax hike. He got his 2025 city budget, and aldermen forced him to keep his campaign pledge not to raise property taxes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago, property taxes

4 ways Chicago’s 2025 budget fails, plus hikes property taxes

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

11/01/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2025 budget proposes a nearly $1 billion deficit. High personnel and pension costs have Johnson breaking his campaign promise not to hike property taxes. Plus there’s no plan for long-term fixes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

$35B in federal aid, higher tax revenues mask Pritzker budgetary blunders

By Bryce Hill, Ravi Mishra

07/03/2024

While Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been in office during upgrades in the state’s credit rating and reductions in some state debts, analysis shows improvements were more luck than fiscal design.

TAGS: budget

Our perspective: Chicago should use all federal COVID funds before hiking taxes for housing problems

By Hilary Gowins

02/13/2024

Before asking voters to approve a “mansion tax,” why not tap unspent federal pandemic aid dollars to reduce homelessness?

Vallas: Chicago teens are dying, committing more crimes: work-study can fix that

By Paul Vallas

06/29/2023

Much attention is rightly being paid to how city policy can address the need to provide young people with meaningful opportunities for work. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Pritzker proposes $440 million for young child initiatives

By Dylan Sharkey

02/15/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants to spend $440 million for universal preschool and other initiatives for low-income young children. But shouldn’t Illinois pay its old bills before taking on new expenses?

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan

By Bryce Hill

02/14/2023

After years of enhanced revenue from federal aid, a return to the basic principles of budgeting can put Illinois on the path to long-term financial stability

Biden promises nearly $36 billion for national pension bailouts

By Patrick Andriesen

12/12/2022

The Biden administration promised nearly $36 billion to stabilize pension plans for Teamsters nationwide after forecasts predicted the system’s default by 2026. Union members would have seen their retirement benefits slashed by 60% if the system defaulted.

TAGS: Joe Biden, pensions

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

Waste watch: Illinois uses temporary federal aid to fund ongoing social programs

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

Chicago mayor gets budget without his $300M in property tax hikes

4 ways Chicago’s 2025 budget fails, plus hikes property taxes

$35B in federal aid, higher tax revenues mask Pritzker budgetary blunders

Our perspective: Chicago should use all federal COVID funds before hiking taxes for housing problems

Vallas: Chicago teens are dying, committing more crimes: work-study can fix that

Pritzker proposes $440 million for young child initiatives

Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan

Biden promises nearly $36 billion for national pension bailouts

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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