Only 4 states tax services by default, but Illinois may join them

By Patrick Andriesen

05/27/2025

Adding sales taxes to services is limited in the U.S., with 46 states not generally taxing services. Illinois may break from the pack and start adding sales taxes to haircuts, lawn care, car repair and a long list of other service expected to cost $2.7 billion.

Illinois lawmakers push new $2.7B sales tax on haircuts, Netflix, Uber and other services

By Bryce Hill, Dylan Sharkey

05/15/2025

Illinois lawmakers are looking to expand sales taxes to include things such as streaming services, gym memberships, vehicle repairs, hair care and other services to bail out Chicago’s failing transit systems and put more money in government budgets.

TAGS: sales tax

Chicago Teachers Union contract will be costly, but did union get what it demanded?

By Mailee Smith

04/07/2025

After bankrolling Mayor Brandon Johnson’s way into office, the Chicago Teachers Union went into contract negotiations demanding 700-plus new provisions, estimated to cost at least $10 billion. What it got: 150 new provisions worth around $1.5 billion.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

3 ways to balance Chicago’s next budget without tax hikes

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

01/20/2025

Chicago might have just avoided a property tax hike, but city leaders couldn’t figure out how to pass the 2025 budget without other tax and fee increases. Here’s what the city should do to avoid repeating the same budgeting mistakes next year.

TAGS: Chicago

Where on Chicago Transit Authority are you most likely to be crime victim?

By Patrick Andriesen

12/26/2024

Chicago Transit Authority Green Line riders were the most likely to be crime victims for the 12 months ending in September. The most dangerous CTA stop had nearly 7 crimes per 100,000 riders compared to 1.3 systemwide.

TAGS: CTA: Chicago Transit Authority

Exclude staff costs, Chicago spending still spiked $3.6B in just 6 years

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

12/10/2024

Chicago’s 2025 budget is facing a nearly $1 billion gap. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to close it: increase taxes. The city’s rising non-personnel costs, now at $6.6 billion, will outpace its grant funding, squeeze taxpayers and increase regressive fees.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

New Cook County prosecutor faces challenges to fix Kim Foxx legacy

By Chris Coffey

11/27/2024

A new Cook County state’s attorney inherits crime problems aggravated by her predecessor, Kim Foxx. Eileen O’Neill Burke seems ready to fight crime without abandoning efforts to be fair to minority defendants. Here’s what she should do.

TAGS: Kim Foxx

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

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

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

Chicago Transit Authority

Only 4 states tax services by default, but Illinois may join them

Illinois lawmakers push new $2.7B sales tax on haircuts, Netflix, Uber and other services

Chicago Teachers Union contract will be costly, but did union get what it demanded?

3 ways to balance Chicago’s next budget without tax hikes

Where on Chicago Transit Authority are you most likely to be crime victim?

Exclude staff costs, Chicago spending still spiked $3.6B in just 6 years

New Cook County prosecutor faces challenges to fix Kim Foxx legacy

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

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

Cracking down on fare evasion can help deter Chicago transit crime

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