Massive property tax hikes hurt Chicago’s low-income families

By LyLena Estabine

10/16/2025

Chicago homeowners on the South and West Sides are bracing for huge property tax hikes, driven by surging assessments and government spending tied to pensions.

TAGS: property taxes

Illinois superintendent pay doesn’t match performance: district consolidation could help

By Lilly Rossi

10/01/2025

Superintendent salaries often do not reflect the district’s size, wealth or student performance. School district consolidation could help fix that.

Vallas: Stacy Davis Gates’ destructive vision for Chicago schools

By Paul Vallas

09/26/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union is shutting down school choice by attacking charter schools, hurting Black and Latino families who rely on them. Their actions put power over student success.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Stacy Davis Gates

Chicago’s South Side gets over 3X tickets per red-light cam as North Side

By Patrick Andriesen

06/27/2025

Red-light cameras on Chicago’s South Side issued more than triple the number of tickets per intersection as on the North Side between June 2024 and May 2025. Fines citywide dropped over $12 million from the previous 12 months.

TAGS: Chicago, red light cameras

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

By Joe Tabor

02/10/2025

Published Feb. 10, 2025 Even though federal COVID relief funds provided an unexpected windfall, that one-time jolt of cash could leave many Illinois localities even worse off than they were before. That boost in revenue allowed local governments to put off difficult budgeting decisions, and as that revenue dries up, municipalities will have to contend...

How government unions work against interests of private-sector unions, taxpayers

By Mailee Smith

01/08/2025

Government unions posed threats to public welfare that were recognized by founders of the labor movement and by progressive icon Franklin D. Roosevelt. Those threats have become reality, with government union power dominating – especially in Illinois.

Chicago mayor spends $700K per ‘affordable’ apartment unit

By Patrick Andriesen

12/12/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first effort at building “affordable” housing is costing nearly $700,000 per unit. Similar units in the same area cost $126,583.

TAGS: affordable housing

Senior advisor to Brandon Johnson voted in Texas this November, raising questions about residency

By Austin Berg

12/06/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s senior advisor Jason Lee cast his vote in Texas this November, but Chicago city government requires its employees to reside within city limits.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago, Jason Lee

Enough? Chicago aldermen to vote on mayor’s property tax hike

By Matheus Cosso

11/12/2024

Mayor Brandon Johnson broke a campaign promise by proposing a $300 million property tax increase to fund his $17.3 billion budget. On Thursday the city council will vote, and the signs are not good for Johnson.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes

South Side gets 2.5X as many tickets per red-light camera as North Side

By Patrick Andriesen

11/11/2024

Red-light cameras on the city’s South Side issued the most tickets per intersection between October 2023 and September 2024, more than 2.5 times as many as cameras on the North Side. Citywide, fines are up to $61.4 million for past 12 months.

TAGS: red light cameras

Chicago Tribune

Massive property tax hikes hurt Chicago’s low-income families

Illinois superintendent pay doesn’t match performance: district consolidation could help

Vallas: Stacy Davis Gates’ destructive vision for Chicago schools

Chicago’s South Side gets over 3X tickets per red-light cam as North Side

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

How government unions work against interests of private-sector unions, taxpayers

Chicago mayor spends $700K per ‘affordable’ apartment unit

Senior advisor to Brandon Johnson voted in Texas this November, raising questions about residency

Enough? Chicago aldermen to vote on mayor’s property tax hike

South Side gets 2.5X as many tickets per red-light camera as North Side

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