Uber, Lyft threaten to leave Chicago

By Austin Berg

06/18/2016

Chicago City Council is one vote away from enacting punishing rules that could force the popular platforms out of the Windy City.

TAGS: Chicago, collaborative economy, Lyft, regulations, rideshare, Uber

New ordinance will reduce building downtown, raise rents in Chicago

By Mark Adams

06/06/2016

If Chicago wants to alleviate poverty and economic inequality, the city needs to reform its zoning laws to allow more building – not institute a new tax on development.

TAGS: Chicago, zoning

Illinois taxpayers paying for billionaires’ stadiums

06/02/2016

Taxpayers will shell out $36 million for Soldier Field in 2016, in addition to footing the bill for U.S. Cellular Field. And the city of Chicago is still pushing a plan for DePaul University that would cost an initial $55 million for a new basketball stadium.

TAGS: cronyism, tax credits

Illinois politicians reintroduce penny-per-ounce ‘sugary drink’ tax

05/23/2016

State lawmakers propose regressive tax on sugary drinks to help fill budget holes created by decades of irresponsible policies.

TAGS: sugar tax, taxes

Illinois House passes marijuana decriminalization bill

By Hilary Gowins

05/18/2016

The Illinois House has voted to impose civil fines rather than criminal penalties for low-level marijuana possession.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, decriminalization, marijuana

Burke saved Trump $11.7M in Chicago property-tax appeal scheme

By Austin Berg

04/30/2016

Donald Trump, Chicago Alderman Edward Burke

Flawed property valuations and the process required to fix them are a cash cow for law firms, including those of House Speaker Mike Madigan, Chicago Alderman Ed Burke and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton.

TAGS: Chicago, Donald Trump, Ed Burke, property taxes

Illinois corruption watch: March 2016

04/04/2016

Several instances of corruption and mismanagement of public property and trust came to light in March and included new developments in cases involving Chicago Public Schools’ former CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

TAGS: corruption

Chicago passes smokeless-tobacco ban for city ballparks

03/30/2016

Chicago recently became the fourth city to ban smokeless tobacco at ballparks, and is home to the nation’s highest tobacco tax.

TAGS: Chicago, regulations

Help save ridesharing in Chicago

By Austin Berg

03/24/2016

Chicago aldermen, some of whom receive financial support from the taxicab industry, are looking to burden Uber and Lyft drivers with expensive chauffer’s licenses.

TAGS: rideshare, Uber

6 reasons why Chicago taxes will keep going up

By Ted Dabrowski

03/24/2016

Even with the city’s record tax hike and massive borrowing, lack of reform means Chicagoans can expect to open up their wallets yet again.

Chicago City Council

Uber, Lyft threaten to leave Chicago

New ordinance will reduce building downtown, raise rents in Chicago

Illinois taxpayers paying for billionaires’ stadiums

Illinois politicians reintroduce penny-per-ounce ‘sugary drink’ tax

Illinois House passes marijuana decriminalization bill

Burke saved Trump $11.7M in Chicago property-tax appeal scheme

Illinois corruption watch: March 2016

Chicago passes smokeless-tobacco ban for city ballparks

Help save ridesharing in Chicago

6 reasons why Chicago taxes will keep going up

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