Scholarships can help special ed students denied services in Chicago

By Lilly Rossi

10/20/2025

More than 2,000 special education students in Chicago Public Schools are denied support they’re legally guaranteed. Federal scholarships could help pay for service, but only Gov. Pritzker opts Illinois into them.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

Chicago loosens granny flat rules, still lags California

By LyLena Estabine

10/20/2025

Chicago just expanded where accessory dwelling units can be built, but California’s sweeping reforms show how far the city still has to go.

Lawmakers push DoorDash, Uber Eats delivery tax statewide for Chicago transit

By LyLena Estabine

10/17/2025

Lawmakers may approve a statewide delivery tax on Doordash and Uber Eats to fund Chicago transit, hitting all Illinoisans who shop online, even those who don’t use CTA, Metra or Pace.

Chicago park pension remains underfunded despite reforms

By LyLena Estabine

10/17/2025

Despite a 2021 law meant to improve the funding ratio of Chicago’s park pension, the amount of money the system has on hand to pay out benefits remains low.

Chicago Teachers Union dues support 54 bosses making over $100K

By Mailee Smith

10/17/2025

Chicago Teachers Union bosses make a lot more than members. Little of members’ dues pay for representation. See who makes what, here.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

CTA proposes first fare hike in seven years: here’s by how much

By Ravi Mishra

10/16/2025

The Chicago Transit Authority’s 2026 budget includes scenarios dependent on state funding along with a 25-cent fare hike on bus and rail.

TAGS: CTA: Chicago Transit Authority

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 budget targets social media, corporate “head tax”

By Dylan Sharkey

10/16/2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 budget proposal includes a per-user tax on social media companies and a per-employee fee on businesses. The proposal does not include a property tax hike and supports the elimination of the grocery tax.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Unused office space could mean more Chicago housing

By LyLena Estabine

10/16/2025

New York City has seen success in converting office space into residences. Chicago should do the same.

TAGS: affordable housing

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

DoorDash, Uber, Ticketmaster and toll road hikes: $1.5 billion in potential taxes explained

By Ravi Mishra

10/15/2025

Prices for DoorDash, Uber, Ticketmaster and Illinois tolls might go up now to cover $1.5 billion for Illinois transit agencies. A real estate transfer tax for homes in the Chicago suburbs is also on the table.

Chicago

Scholarships can help special ed students denied services in Chicago

Chicago loosens granny flat rules, still lags California

Lawmakers push DoorDash, Uber Eats delivery tax statewide for Chicago transit

Chicago park pension remains underfunded despite reforms

Chicago Teachers Union dues support 54 bosses making over $100K

CTA proposes first fare hike in seven years: here’s by how much

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2026 budget targets social media, corporate “head tax”

Unused office space could mean more Chicago housing

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

DoorDash, Uber, Ticketmaster and toll road hikes: $1.5 billion in potential taxes explained

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