The Cook County College Teachers Union voted to strike by the end of October if an agreement is not reached. Union members are demanding subsidies for student housing and child care costs along with higher wages and smaller classes.
Statewide commercial property tax extensions are on pace to total $11.3 billion by 2026. Amendment 1’s expansion of government union power would likely accelerate that $1.8 billion increase.
Despite proponents’ claims, the rights outlined in Amendment 1 cannot apply to non-government employees. U.S. Supreme Court precedent already makes that clear. So did the proposal’s Illinois Senate sponsor.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot earmarked $442 million to help pay down Chicago’s $46.9 billion pension debt. The Civic Federation said stop-gap measures will only delay future property tax hikes unless there’s statewide pension reform.
Tyson Foods is relocating 500 employees from Chicago and Downers Grove offices to the corporate headquarters in Arkansas. The meat processor is the sixth company to leave Illinois this year.
A new financial report predicts residents in the nation’s largest cities will pay more for pensions next year as inflation and recessionary fears “erase” 2021 gains. Chicago topped the big cities for pension debt.
The Arlington Heights Board voted unanimously to reject a citizen proposal to stop them from subsidizing the $5 billion Bears stadium development with taxpayer funds. Petition sponsors said they will pursue a ballot question.
FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried announced the cryptocurrency exchange is moving its U.S. headquarters to Miami. It’s the fifth major company to relocate its headquarters out of Illinois this year.
The “gift room” scandal, a botched police raid and a smokestack implosion underscore how the head of Chicago’s Law Department, also known as the corporation counsel, too often lacks independence from the mayor’s office. Chicago’s corporation counsel is appointed by the mayor and can be removed at the mayor’s discretion. Experience in other major cities...