Fact check: Private sector workers excluded from Amendment 1

By Mailee Smith

10/06/2022

Despite proponents’ claims, the rights outlined in Amendment 1 cannot apply to non-government employees. U.S. Supreme Court precedent already makes that clear. So did the proposal’s Illinois Senate sponsor.

TAGS: Amendment 1

Experts: Expect future Chicago property tax hikes without pension reform

By Patrick Andriesen

10/06/2022

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot earmarked $442 million to help pay down Chicago’s $46.9 billion pension debt. The Civic Federation said stop-gap measures will only delay future property tax hikes unless there’s statewide pension reform.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes

Tyson Foods 6th company to leave Illinois in 2022

By Dylan Sharkey

10/06/2022

Tyson Foods is relocating 500 employees from Chicago and Downers Grove offices to the corporate headquarters in Arkansas. The meat processor is the sixth company to leave Illinois this year.

TAGS: Chicago, Tyson Foods

Chicago taxpayer contributions to pensions could spike due to recession

By Patrick Andriesen

10/05/2022

A new financial report predicts residents in the nation’s largest cities will pay more for pensions next year as inflation and recessionary fears “erase” 2021 gains. Chicago topped the big cities for pension debt.

TAGS: Chicago, pensions

Arlington Heights kills effort to stop ‘Bears tax’

By Patrick Andriesen

10/04/2022

The Arlington Heights Board voted unanimously to reject a citizen proposal to stop them from subsidizing the $5 billion Bears stadium development with taxpayer funds. Petition sponsors said they will pursue a ballot question.

TAGS: Chicago Bears

Lightfoot cancels property tax hike in announcing new budget

By Dylan Sharkey

10/03/2022

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot unveiled her 2023 budget proposal and deleted a $42.7 million property tax hike originally tied to inflation.

TAGS: budget, Lori Lightfoot

Crypto exchange FTX moving U.S. headquarters out of Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

09/29/2022

FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried announced the cryptocurrency exchange is moving its U.S. headquarters to Miami. It’s the fifth major company to relocate its headquarters out of Illinois this year.

Nearly half of Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost jobs in August

By Justin Carlson

09/28/2022

The latest job numbers show Illinois continues struggling to recover pandemic job losses, a bad sign for its lagging economy as recession fears rise.

Fact check: Homeowners worse off under Pritzker

By Dylan Sharkey

09/27/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker stressed the importance of homeownership in Illinois. Under his administration, homeowners have seen their property taxes grow by $2,288.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, property taxes

Illinois to legalize internet gambling, executives predict

By Patrick Andriesen

09/27/2022

A new report predicts legalized internet gambling would generate $273.3 million a year in new revenue for Illinois. A safer bet for Illinois’ state workers would be constitutional pension reform.

TAGS: Chicago, gambling

Chicago

Fact check: Private sector workers excluded from Amendment 1

Experts: Expect future Chicago property tax hikes without pension reform

Tyson Foods 6th company to leave Illinois in 2022

Chicago taxpayer contributions to pensions could spike due to recession

Arlington Heights kills effort to stop ‘Bears tax’

Lightfoot cancels property tax hike in announcing new budget

Crypto exchange FTX moving U.S. headquarters out of Illinois

Nearly half of Illinois’ metropolitan areas lost jobs in August

Fact check: Homeowners worse off under Pritzker

Illinois to legalize internet gambling, executives predict

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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