Chicago-area Transit crisis: 7 principles to guide Illinois transportation reform

By LyLena Estabine

10/28/2025

Transit reform can support Illinois riders and taxpayers. These seven principles outline a path to affordability, accountability and efficiency.

Chicago ranks among America’s least safe cities

By LyLena Estabine

10/27/2025

While Aurora sits near the top of the safety rankings, Chicago lands near the bottom undermining claims by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson.

TAGS: crime

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.

Johnson’s “Protecting Chicago” budget proposes nearly $500M in tax hikes

By Lauren Zuar, Ravi Mishra

10/21/2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson describes the 2026 budget as “Protecting Chicago,” but his plan seems to do the opposite. Taxes on Artificial Intelligence, Uber rides and companies with 100+ employees are the biggest revenue sources.

Chicago

Chicago-area Transit crisis: 7 principles to guide Illinois transportation reform

Chicago ranks among America’s least safe cities

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

Johnson’s “Protecting Chicago” budget proposes nearly $500M in tax hikes

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