Chicago businesses fall to 10-year low, Mag Mile down by half

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

08/20/2025

Chicago had 44,840 licensed businesses operating in the city last year, fewer than any year in the past decade and 17% less than during 2015. The Magnificent Mile reported the largest drop, with active business licenses falling by over half.

Back to school in Chicago: fewer than 1-in-3 students read at grade level

By Hannah Schmid

08/18/2025

Students returned to their Chicago public schools on Aug. 18. The most recent test data available for Chicago students shows there’s a lot of room for improvement in the new school year.

Cook County homeowners paid $2 billion extra in property taxes because of appeal process

By LyLena Estabine, Cameron Jasper

08/15/2025

When a Cook County business successfully appeals their property taxes, the county just shifts that burden to homeowners. This meant an extra $2 billion in residential property taxes instead of a lower property tax levy.

Illinois needs a limitation on special property tax district extensions

By LyLena Estabine, Cameron Jasper

08/15/2025

Tax increment financing districts divert public property tax dollars with little oversight, letting cities keep special taxing powers for decades, often misusing funds and shortchanging taxpayers.

TAGS: TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Chicago retirement fund for first responders at greater risk

By LyLena Estabine

08/14/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law adding $11.1 billion in new liabilities to Chicago’s fire and police pensions, already the worst-funded in the nation. These “sweeteners” hurt retirement security more than they help.

Chicago alderman’s $120K pension shows why city fund is broken

By LyLena Estabine

08/14/2025

Chicago’s municipal pension is one of the worst-funded pension systems in the nation despite sky-high taxes dedicated to paying into it. Fat pensions such as former Ald. Walter Burnett’s show why.

TAGS: Chicago City Council

$734M budget shortfall? Well, 1-in-3 Chicago Public Schools desks is empty

By Hannah Schmid

08/14/2025

Chicago Public Schools has 275 buildings that are too empty. On average, over 1-in-3 school desks is empty. The Chicago Teachers Union unrelentingly forces that big waste on CPS as administrators scramble to close a $734 million budget shortfall.

Illinois law still says unpaid property taxes can rob you of home equity

By Cameron Jasper, LyLena Estabine

08/12/2025

Across Illinois, homeowners are losing their homes and all their equity over minor tax debts, with private investors reaping the profits. Illinois is one of the remaining states hasn’t reformed this unconstitutional practice.

3 things teachers unions don’t want teachers to know

By Mailee Smith

08/12/2025

Illinois public school teachers can opt out of union membership and stop paying dues in August. But union misinformation is spread to keep them in.

TAGS: teachers union

26 tax ideas Chicago’s mayor is thinking about imposing

By Ravi Mishra

08/11/2025

A $1.12 billion budget gap spurs Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to circulate a menu of 26 tax hikes. Instead of making Chicago even more hostile to taxpayers, he should be looking at budget reforms and ways to stop spending so much.

Chicago

Chicago businesses fall to 10-year low, Mag Mile down by half

Back to school in Chicago: fewer than 1-in-3 students read at grade level

Cook County homeowners paid $2 billion extra in property taxes because of appeal process

Illinois needs a limitation on special property tax district extensions

Chicago retirement fund for first responders at greater risk

Chicago alderman’s $120K pension shows why city fund is broken

$734M budget shortfall? Well, 1-in-3 Chicago Public Schools desks is empty

Illinois law still says unpaid property taxes can rob you of home equity

3 things teachers unions don’t want teachers to know

26 tax ideas Chicago’s mayor is thinking about imposing

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