Over 600 Chicago teachers hit Sin City on taxpayers’ dime

By Lilly Rossi

12/31/2025

Using taxpayer dollars intended to educate children, over 600 Chicago Public Schools staffers exploited lax rules to take luxury trips to Las Vegas.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

1-in-5 city tax dollars go to Illinois police, fire pensions

By LyLena Estabine

12/30/2025

Outside of Chicago, municipal property taxes across Illinois are being consumed by police and fire pensions, leaving fewer resources for public safety.

Chicago Public School staff jet-sets overseas on tax dollars

By Lilly Rossi

12/26/2025

Lax rules, poor oversight let millions of taxpayer dollars be used for foreign travel – including safaris and camel rides – for Chicago Public Schools staff.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Naughty list includes state lawmakers, county leaders, mayors

By Patrick Andriesen

12/24/2025

The nation’s longest-serving legislative speaker, a state senator and a former Cook County commissioner were on Illinois’ too-long list of corrupt politicians.

Chicago gets $16.6B budget after mayor refuses to veto

By Brad Weisenstein, Ravi Mishra

12/23/2025

Chicago avoided a city shutdown when Mayor Brandon Johnson accepted the alternative budget aldermen passed despite his wishes.

TAGS: Chicago, taxes

Watching ‘Elf’ or ‘Home Alone’ costs $300M more in Chicago

By Dylan Sharkey

12/23/2025

Chicagoans pay extra to stream holiday movies on Netflix or Hulu because of the city’s 10.25% streaming tax. The cost was nearly $300 million in 2025.

TAGS: streaming tax

Chicago adopts $16.6B budget, adds $535M in taxes

By Ravi Mishra

12/20/2025

Chicago aldermen for the first time pushed through their own budget, rejecting the mayor’s effort to impose a job-killing head tax. There are other taxes.

TAGS: Chicago, taxes

Gassing up in Illinois pricey during record holiday travel

By Jerry Barmore

12/18/2025

AAA estimates 5.7 million Illinoisans will travel this holiday season. Most will be driving, forced to pay the nation’s No. 2 gas taxes.

TAGS: gas tax

Beat Kitchen takes Chicago to federal court

By Dylan Sharkey

12/17/2025

Chicago restaurant owner Robert Gomez is suing Chicago in federal court, claiming the city used race to end his lease on the Riverwalk.

Judge rules Cook County tax sale illegal; lawmakers yet to act

By LyLena Estabine

12/16/2025

A federal judge ruled Cook County is illegally settling minor property tax debts by seizing the full value of properties. Illinois law still allows the practice.

Chicago

Over 600 Chicago teachers hit Sin City on taxpayers’ dime

1-in-5 city tax dollars go to Illinois police, fire pensions

Chicago Public School staff jet-sets overseas on tax dollars

Naughty list includes state lawmakers, county leaders, mayors

Chicago gets $16.6B budget after mayor refuses to veto

Watching ‘Elf’ or ‘Home Alone’ costs $300M more in Chicago

Chicago adopts $16.6B budget, adds $535M in taxes

Gassing up in Illinois pricey during record holiday travel

Beat Kitchen takes Chicago to federal court

Judge rules Cook County tax sale illegal; lawmakers yet to act

7 things to know about public charter school laws in Illinois

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