Chicago drivers face lower speed limit, more cameras after $28M fine drop

By Patrick Andriesen

12/10/2024

Chicago speed cameras sent drivers $28 million less in tickets through September than during the first nine months of 2023. Annual revenues could spike again under proposals to drop the citywide speed limit or boost the number of cameras.

TAGS: Chicago

Chicago slashes 2,103 public safety jobs as it adds 184 administrators

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

11/22/2024

Chicago’s 2025 budget has a nearly $1 billion hole. Mayor Brandon Johnson has only proposed tax hikes. But when personnel eats over two-thirds of the budget, the city must be smart about freezes and cuts without making public safety even worse.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago, CPD: Chicago Police Department

Aggravated assaults hit 5-year high in Chicago during October

By Patrick Andriesen

11/19/2024

Chicago’s violent crime hit the second-highest level in the past five years. Aggravated assaults increased the most during the past 12 months to hit a five-year peak. Most of the victims were Black.

Vallas: Chicago Transit Authority is city’s 3rd budget crisis

By Paul Vallas

11/18/2024

Chicago faces financial meltdowns on three fronts: the city budget, Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Transit Authority. The CTA faces a $577 million deficit, but it can be fixed.

TAGS: CTA: Chicago Transit Authority

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

Cracking down on fare evasion can help deter Chicago transit crime

By Chris Coffey

10/31/2024

Washington, D.C., and New York City have cracked down on fare evasion because it is linked to serious and violent crime. The Chicago Transit Authority should do the same to curb its growing crime problem.

TAGS: CTA: Chicago Transit Authority

Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget breaks property tax promise

By Lauren Zuar, Ravi Mishra

10/30/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered his 2025 budget Oct. 30, including a nearly $1 billion deficit, runaway spending and low revenues that have him breaking his campaign promise not to raise property taxes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, property taxes

Chicago violent crime hits 5-year high

By Patrick Andriesen

10/03/2024

Chicago’s violent crime increased to the highest level in the past five years. Aggravated assaults increased the most in the past 12 months. Most victims were Black.

Chicago Teachers Union is a lobbying powerhouse in Springfield, but is that waning?

By Mailee Smith

08/29/2024

It may be based in Chicago, but the Chicago Teachers Union’s lobbying affects residents throughout Illinois. The Illinois General Assembly did CTU’s bidding on 60% of the bills on which the union took a stance last session. CTU discontent is growing.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Vallas: 10 things you should know about Chicago crime today

By Paul Vallas

07/18/2024

Independence Day weekend was bloody in Chicago. City leaders are doing little other than pointing fingers. Here are 10 things Chicagoans should know about the current crime problem.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Chicago Police Department

Chicago drivers face lower speed limit, more cameras after $28M fine drop

Chicago slashes 2,103 public safety jobs as it adds 184 administrators

Aggravated assaults hit 5-year high in Chicago during October

Vallas: Chicago Transit Authority is city’s 3rd budget crisis

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

Cracking down on fare evasion can help deter Chicago transit crime

Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget breaks property tax promise

Chicago violent crime hits 5-year high

Chicago Teachers Union is a lobbying powerhouse in Springfield, but is that waning?

Vallas: 10 things you should know about Chicago crime today

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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