Illinois population grows in 2024 despite 56K residents leaving for other states

By Bryce Hill

12/19/2024

A massive influx of 112,955 international migrants boosted Illinois population in 2024, new Census Bureau data shows. Buses from Texas likely grew Illinois’ population.

TAGS: Chicago, outmigration, population

Chicago mayor gets budget without his $300M in property tax hikes

By Ravi Mishra, LyLena Estabine

12/17/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was denied a $300 million property tax hike, then a $150 million property tax hike, then a $68.5 million property tax hike. He got his 2025 city budget, and aldermen forced him to keep his campaign pledge not to raise property taxes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago, property taxes

Chicago property taxes have doubled in 10 years, thanks to pensions

By Bryce Hill

12/17/2024

Chicago’s government pension obligations have increased nearly sixfold since 2014, driving up Chicago’s sky-high property taxes. Another increase for 2025 was likely avoided, but city leaders need state lawmakers to make a permanent fix.

Record-setting holiday season expecting nearly 120M travelers

By Dylan Sharkey

12/16/2024

AAA estimates nearly 120 million people will travel 50 miles or more this holiday season. Most of those will travel by car, so Illinois’ gas taxes will make it an expensive ride for them.

Chicago leaders can still fix runaway budget, tax hikes

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

12/13/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson failed to rally the votes for a record $17.3 billion budget imposing $68.5 million in property tax hikes. City leaders have another chance to fix the budget. Here’s how they can do it.

Chicago mayor spends $700K per ‘affordable’ apartment unit

By Patrick Andriesen

12/12/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first effort at building “affordable” housing is costing nearly $700,000 per unit. Similar units in the same area cost $126,583.

TAGS: affordable housing

Johnson proposes 11 tax and fee hikes totaling $234M

By Dylan Sharkey

12/11/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget includes $233.9 million in tax hikes including rideshare prices and streaming services. It has already passed a key committee in the city council.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes, taxes

Exclude staff costs, Chicago spending still spiked $3.6B in just 6 years

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

12/10/2024

Chicago’s 2025 budget is facing a nearly $1 billion gap. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to close it: increase taxes. The city’s rising non-personnel costs, now at $6.6 billion, will outpace its grant funding, squeeze taxpayers and increase regressive fees.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Chicago drivers face lower speed limit, more cameras after $28M fine drop

By Patrick Andriesen

12/10/2024

Chicago speed cameras sent drivers $28 million less in tickets through September than during the first nine months of 2023. Annual revenues could spike again under proposals to drop the citywide speed limit or boost the number of cameras.

TAGS: Chicago

Atlas Van Lines: Illinois 3rd in nation for residents leaving

By Dylan Sharkey

12/09/2024

Illinois saw the third-highest rate of residents moving out in 2024 based on a survey by Atlas Van Lines. Jobs and taxes are among the top reasons people leave Illinois, which is also third in the nation for highest unemployment rate.

TAGS: outmigration, population

Chicago

Illinois population grows in 2024 despite 56K residents leaving for other states

Chicago mayor gets budget without his $300M in property tax hikes

Chicago property taxes have doubled in 10 years, thanks to pensions

Record-setting holiday season expecting nearly 120M travelers

Chicago leaders can still fix runaway budget, tax hikes

Chicago mayor spends $700K per ‘affordable’ apartment unit

Johnson proposes 11 tax and fee hikes totaling $234M

Exclude staff costs, Chicago spending still spiked $3.6B in just 6 years

Chicago drivers face lower speed limit, more cameras after $28M fine drop

Atlas Van Lines: Illinois 3rd in nation for residents leaving

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