11 reasons Illinoisans can be thankful this year

By Lilly Rossi

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, Illinoisans should give thanks for Illinois’ heritage, opportunities, wins against new taxes and educational freedom.

Peoria Heights mayor vetoes grocery tax as Chicago considers it

By Brad Weisenstein

09/16/2025

Peoria Heights’ mayor vetoed a grocery tax, saying the village would not balance its budget on the backs of families at the grocery checkout. Now Chicago is considering taking $73.5 million through the tax.

TAGS: Chicago, grocery tax, taxes

Chicago might join 209 voting to tax groceries: is your town on list?

By Dylan Sharkey, Charlotte Rotkis

06/10/2025

Over 200 Illinois towns have opted to charge a 1% grocery tax. Chicago is likely to follow. Local leaders have until October to decide whether to impose this regressive tax on people’s need to eat.

TAGS: grocery tax

105 Illinois towns pass grocery taxes. Did yours?

By Dylan Sharkey

05/02/2025

Many Illinois towns are rushing to extend the 1% grocery tax. See below if your town is one of them. The statewide tax ends in 2026, but local governments can choose to retain it without asking their residents for permission.

TAGS: grocery tax

Kane County part of voter wave saying ‘no’ to more taxes

By Dylan Sharkey

04/17/2025

Kane County voters sent a strong message by voting down a sales tax increase on April 1. They joined voters in several townships who asked for pension reform to control taxes and a town that rejected a grocery tax.

TAGS: Kane County

Bensenville voters reject grocery tax with 90% voting ‘no’

By Dylan Sharkey

04/03/2025

With 90% voting “no,” Bensenville voters shot down a grocery tax proposal. Illinois’ statewide grocery tax is ending at the end of 2025, but some local leaders want it to stay.

TAGS: grocery tax

Bensenville asking voters about grocery tax; what’s your town’s plan?

By Dylan Sharkey

03/24/2025

Voters near O’Hare International Airport will have a chance to weigh in on whether to keep or cut the 1% grocery tax. The statewide tax ends in 2026, but nearly 50 communities have already passed their own 1% grocery tax.

TAGS: grocery tax

Voters near O’Hare to take up gerrymandering, unfunded mandates

By Dylan Sharkey

01/10/2025

Addison Township voters at the April 1 election will tell state lawmakers where they stand on legislative map gerrymandering and state leaders making demands without providing money. Nearly 650,000 Illinoisans’ concerns about major state issues will be represented by these votes.

80% of Cook County municipalities have opted out of minimum wage, sick leave ordinances

By Amy Korte, Marianna Schmiesing

07/31/2017

The number of Cook County municipalities that have opted out of both ordinances has climbed to 107.

TAGS: Cook County, jobs, minimum wage

Property taxes in northwest Chicago suburbs to spike by $560 on average

By John Kristof

06/15/2017

Lawmakers need to enact comprehensive property tax reform to provide relief for overburdened state taxpayers.

TAGS: housing, property taxes

Bensenville

11 reasons Illinoisans can be thankful this year

Peoria Heights mayor vetoes grocery tax as Chicago considers it

Chicago might join 209 voting to tax groceries: is your town on list?

105 Illinois towns pass grocery taxes. Did yours?

Kane County part of voter wave saying ‘no’ to more taxes

Bensenville voters reject grocery tax with 90% voting ‘no’

Bensenville asking voters about grocery tax; what’s your town’s plan?

Voters near O’Hare to take up gerrymandering, unfunded mandates

80% of Cook County municipalities have opted out of minimum wage, sick leave ordinances

Property taxes in northwest Chicago suburbs to spike by $560 on average

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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