Fitch downgrades Chicago, cites Illinois Supreme Court ruling on pension reform

By John Klingner

03/28/2016

The city’s rating from Fitch is now just one notch above junk status.

TAGS: Chicago, credit rating, municipal pensions, pensions

Chicago area sees greatest population loss of any major U.S. city in 2015

By Michael Lucci

03/25/2016

Census data are sounding a warning signal that Chicago and Illinois policy leaders don’t necessarily want to hear.

TAGS: Chicago, outmigration, population

Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling

By Chris Lentino

03/25/2016

In an effort to shore up pension debt, Chicago officials in 2014 adopted a pension-reform package that included raising the telephone tax. Though the Illinois Supreme Court struck down these changes, the tax hike remains.

TAGS: taxes

Moody’s: Chicago pension-reform ruling means increased financial pressure, rapidly growing pension debt

By John Klingner

03/25/2016

The Illinois Supreme Court’s overturning of Chicago’s modest pension reform means Chicago faces higher pension contributions, rapidly growing pension debt and an increased risk of total insolvency for its pension funds.

TAGS: debt, pensions

Chicago pension decision silver linings

03/24/2016

Despite striking down a pension-reform package aimed at reducing Chicago’s pension debt, the Illinois Supreme Court opened the door for future legislative reforms.

Help save ridesharing in Chicago

By Austin Berg

03/24/2016

Chicago aldermen, some of whom receive financial support from the taxicab industry, are looking to burden Uber and Lyft drivers with expensive chauffer’s licenses.

TAGS: rideshare, Uber

6 reasons why Chicago taxes will keep going up

By Ted Dabrowski

03/24/2016

Even with the city’s record tax hike and massive borrowing, lack of reform means Chicagoans can expect to open up their wallets yet again.

Illinois Supreme Court strikes down Chicago pension reform but opens door for other changes

03/24/2016

While striking down modest reforms to Chicago city-worker pensions, the Illinois Supreme Court has effectively given state lawmakers the green light on other avenues for pension reform.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, Karen Lewis, pensions

Chicago’s total, effective tax rate on liquor is 28%

By Chris Lentino

03/21/2016

The combined federal, state, county and city taxes on alcohol result in a 28 percent effective tax rate on a bottle of spirits bought in Chicago.

TAGS: alcohol tax, Chicago

Illinois bill would start removing occupational-licensing barriers for ex-offenders

By Bryant Jackson-Green

03/17/2016

HB 5973 would remove significant occupational-licensing barriers that make it harder for former offenders to support themselves and their families.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, occupational licensing

Chicago

Fitch downgrades Chicago, cites Illinois Supreme Court ruling on pension reform

Chicago area sees greatest population loss of any major U.S. city in 2015

Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling

Moody’s: Chicago pension-reform ruling means increased financial pressure, rapidly growing pension debt

Chicago pension decision silver linings

Help save ridesharing in Chicago

6 reasons why Chicago taxes will keep going up

Illinois Supreme Court strikes down Chicago pension reform but opens door for other changes

Chicago’s total, effective tax rate on liquor is 28%

Illinois bill would start removing occupational-licensing barriers for ex-offenders

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students