Report: Cook County property tax assessment process unfair to poorer homeowners

By Amy Korte

02/16/2018

A new study confirms Cook County's broken property tax assessment system causes owners of lower-value homes to bear a disproportionate share of the tax burden.

TAGS: Joseph Berrios, property taxes

Budget Solutions 2019: The responsible budget for Illinois

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

02/06/2018

Even after a 32 percent income tax hike, the Illinois General Assembly passed a state budget in 2017 that will generate an estimated $1.5 billion deficit in fiscal year 2018. That deficit is projected to grow to $2.15 billion in fiscal year 2019, according to the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, or GOMB. The...

CTU merger with charter school union is bad for both students and teachers

By Mailee Smith

01/31/2018

The Chicago Teachers Union's hold over the lives of Chicagoans will grow through its merger with ChiACTS, the union representing Chicago-area charter school teachers.

TAGS: charter schools, Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, unions

Chicago City Council approves $5.5 million TIF subsidy for private health provider

By Vincent Caruso

01/19/2018

Under the guise of rehabilitating underserved communities, Chicago City Council approved another tax transfer to a private company.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, property taxes, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Cook County state’s attorney approved $2M property tax settlement for Alderman Ed Burke’s client

By Amy Korte

01/16/2018

The office of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx signed off on a $2 million property tax settlement with the property tax firm headed by Foxx campaign donor Alderman Ed Burke.

TAGS: Cook County, Ed Burke, Joseph Berrios, property taxes

Investigation: CPS employees stole gift cards meant for students

By Brendan Bakala

01/03/2018

From 2013 to 2016, Chicago Public Schools purchased more than $250,600 worth of gift cards, most of which were meant for students and families. But CPS employees stole some of them, according to the inspector general’s office.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Forrest Claypool

Illinois General Assembly, 2017 in review: State pet, state grain, but no fixes

01/02/2018

Illinois lawmakers passed hundreds of bills in 2017, but enacted no real reforms to boost the state’s economy, rein in the cost of government or provide relief to taxpayers.

TAGS: education, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, income tax, property taxes, small business, taxes

School districts across the state raise property tax levies

By Brendan Bakala

12/23/2017

Illinois’ school district debt and unfair government union bargaining laws contribute to the state’s massive property taxes.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, school district consolidation

Tax Increment Financing: Christmas year-round for local politicians, developers

By Chris Lentino

12/19/2017

Statewide use of slush funds ensures it’s Christmas every day for political leaders and their chosen developers.

TAGS: Chicago, pensions, real estate, taxes, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Rigged: How Illinois’ labor laws stack the deck against taxpayers

By Mailee Smith

12/14/2017

If Illinois is going to compete with its neighbors – and keep people from moving out of the state – it must reduce the enormous property tax burden its families are forced to bear. Following the lead of surrounding states by enacting collective bargaining reforms is one good place to start.

Chicago Public Schools

Report: Cook County property tax assessment process unfair to poorer homeowners

Budget Solutions 2019: The responsible budget for Illinois

CTU merger with charter school union is bad for both students and teachers

Chicago City Council approves $5.5 million TIF subsidy for private health provider

Cook County state’s attorney approved $2M property tax settlement for Alderman Ed Burke’s client

Investigation: CPS employees stole gift cards meant for students

Illinois General Assembly, 2017 in review: State pet, state grain, but no fixes

School districts across the state raise property tax levies

Tax Increment Financing: Christmas year-round for local politicians, developers

Rigged: How Illinois’ labor laws stack the deck against taxpayers

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