Chicago’s Fortune 500 headquarters are shrinking

By Dylan Sharkey

10/17/2022

Chicago has lost three Fortune 500 headquarters in 2022. McDonald’s could be the next to leave. Amendment 1 could make it more likely.

Chicago issues over 1M parking tickets in 6 months

By Patrick Andriesen

10/11/2022

Three years after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot campaigned on a pledge to reduce fines and fees, the city issued over 1 million parking tickets in the first half of 2022 – a 25% bump from the same period a year earlier.

TAGS: Chicago, speed cameras

Top 3 myths told by Amendment 1 proponents

By Mailee Smith

10/10/2022

Proponents of Amendment 1 claim it applies to all workers, mimics other state constitutions and would help the economy. Wrong. Wrong. And wrong.

TAGS: Amendment 1, workers rights

Cook County College Teachers Union authorizes October strike

By Patrick Andriesen

10/07/2022

The Cook County College Teachers Union voted to strike by the end of October if an agreement is not reached. Union members are demanding subsidies for student housing and child care costs along with higher wages and smaller classes.

TAGS: CCCTU: Cook County College Teachers Union

Amendment 1 could lock in $1.8B commercial property tax hike

By Bryce Hill

10/07/2022

Statewide commercial property tax extensions are on pace to total $11.3 billion by 2026. Amendment 1’s expansion of government union power would likely accelerate that $1.8 billion increase.

TAGS: Amendment 1, property taxes

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

Chicago

Chicago’s Fortune 500 headquarters are shrinking

Chicago issues over 1M parking tickets in 6 months

Top 3 myths told by Amendment 1 proponents

Cook County College Teachers Union authorizes October strike

Amendment 1 could lock in $1.8B commercial property tax hike

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’

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