Mayor Johnson’s record-setting $1 billion TIF surplus highlights issues

By Bryce Hill

10/24/2025

Chicago Tax Increment Finance “surpluses” have increased more than ninefold in the past decade.

TAGS: Chicago, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

What you need to know about Illinois’ candy tax

By Jerry Barmore

10/24/2025

Illinois’ candy tax doesn’t apply to any treats made with flour. Kit Kat, Twix and Snickers are all taxed as groceries, not candy, and come with a cheaper price tag.

Budget cap could have saved Chicago $600M

By Geoff Feinstein

10/24/2025

Chicago’s budget has grown much faster than inflation, leaving taxpayers to endure higher costs without receiving better services. Implementing a spending cap linked to inflation could have kept costs under control, helping prevent future deficits

West Frankfort teachers union files strike notice

By Lilly Rossi

10/23/2025

West Frankfort’s local union and school board have been at the negotiation table for more than five months. If an agreement is not reached, teachers in West Frankfort could strike as soon as Oct. 26.

TAGS: teachers union

Every Illinois metro has fewer homes for sale than in 2018

By LyLena Estabine, Jon Josko

10/22/2025

Illinois home prices have jumped 48% since 2018 while available housing inventory has plummeted across all 26 tracked metro areas, creating a housing crisis driven largely by restrictive zoning laws and the nation’s highest property taxes.

Using Microsoft, Salesforce, ChatGPT will cost more under Johnson’s Cloud Tax

By Jerry Barmore, Dylan Sharkey

10/22/2025

Microsoft, Salesforce, ChatGPT, Amazon Web Services and Zoom would all come with higher prices under Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s cloud tax.

Just 18% of Chicago Teachers Union spending is on representing teachers

By Mailee Smith

10/22/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union’ own federal reporting shows its members are not priority No.1.

Pritzker absolutely opposed to Johnson’s Chicago corporate “head tax”

By Patrick Andriesen

10/21/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker told the Chicago Economic Club Oct. 21 that he absolutely opposes Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to revive the corporate “head tax” as part of his new budget proposal.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, JB Pritzker

Chicago Teachers Union’s radical agenda is coming to a school district near you

By Mailee Smith

10/21/2025

The scandal-plagued president of the Chicago Teachers Union will now also be leading the Illinois Federation of Teachers, which has affiliates in at least 200 districts across the state.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, Stacy Davis Gates

Budget black hole: Pensions and debt devour Chicago budget

By Geoff Feinstein

10/21/2025

Pensions and debt dominate Chicago’s spending increases, crowding out core services. Without reform, rising obligations will drag the city into deeper financial trouble.

Chicago

Mayor Johnson’s record-setting $1 billion TIF surplus highlights issues

What you need to know about Illinois’ candy tax

Budget cap could have saved Chicago $600M

West Frankfort teachers union files strike notice

Every Illinois metro has fewer homes for sale than in 2018

Using Microsoft, Salesforce, ChatGPT will cost more under Johnson’s Cloud Tax

Just 18% of Chicago Teachers Union spending is on representing teachers

Pritzker absolutely opposed to Johnson’s Chicago corporate “head tax”

Chicago Teachers Union’s radical agenda is coming to a school district near you

Budget black hole: Pensions and debt devour Chicago budget

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