1,400% property tax hikes in Montgomery County on hold

By Dylan Sharkey

12/03/2024

Montgomery County notified some residents they will not be facing 1,400% property tax hikes as originally planned. The sticker shock stemmed from a 2007 law.

TAGS: Montgomery County, property taxes

Suburban Chicago mayor calls for pension reform

By Dylan Sharkey

11/27/2024

Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson said state lawmakers need to step in and help fix public pensions. Pension debt is the biggest driver of Illinois’ property taxes, which are the second-highest in the nation.

TAGS: pension reform

Chicago slashes 2,103 public safety jobs as it adds 184 administrators

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

11/22/2024

Chicago’s 2025 budget has a nearly $1 billion hole. Mayor Brandon Johnson has only proposed tax hikes. But when personnel eats over two-thirds of the budget, the city must be smart about freezes and cuts without making public safety even worse.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago, CPD: Chicago Police Department

Illinois needs responsible Tier 2 pension reform

By LyLena Estabine

11/14/2024

Illinois is at risk of getting in costly trouble with the federal government over its Tier 2 public employee retirement benefits. Here’s a solution that doesn’t make the state’s monstrous public pension debt even worse.

‘Millionaire tax’ being backed by Illinois voters

By Patrick Andriesen

11/05/2024

The “millionaire tax” was being OK’d by Illinois voters, with 60.3% voting “yes” on the advisory question about raising taxes on residents earning over $1 million a year to fund property tax relief. The problem is, millionaires would not be the only tax targets.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, progressive income tax, property taxes

First Illinois voters to be asked overwhelmingly back public pension reform

By Patrick Andriesen

11/05/2024

Barrington Township became the first local government in Illinois to back changing the Illinois Constitution so public pensions can be brought under control. While essentially an opinion poll, the overwhelming approval shows elected leaders must address this issue.

TAGS: pensions, taxes

Check here for Illinois election results

By Brad Weisenstein

11/05/2024

No Election Day noise. Just results for the issues close to home for Illinois' and Chicago's freedom-minded voters.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, pensions, property taxes

4 ways Chicago’s 2025 budget fails, plus hikes property taxes

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

11/01/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2025 budget proposes a nearly $1 billion deficit. High personnel and pension costs have Johnson breaking his campaign promise not to hike property taxes. Plus there’s no plan for long-term fixes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Chicago mayor, Chicago Teachers Union want ‘millionaire tax’ money

By Dylan Sharkey

11/01/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is banking on $300 million in new property taxes from residents in his latest budget. He and his former coworkers at the Chicago Teachers Union want a progressive state income tax to deliver more money to them, not to property tax relief.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Tax question on November ballot could open door for retirement tax

By Patrick Andriesen

10/29/2024

Implementing the “millionaire” tax would give lawmakers the power to tax retirement income. Every state with a progressive tax also taxes retirement income.

Constitution of Illinois

1,400% property tax hikes in Montgomery County on hold

Suburban Chicago mayor calls for pension reform

Chicago slashes 2,103 public safety jobs as it adds 184 administrators

Illinois needs responsible Tier 2 pension reform

‘Millionaire tax’ being backed by Illinois voters

First Illinois voters to be asked overwhelmingly back public pension reform

Check here for Illinois election results

4 ways Chicago’s 2025 budget fails, plus hikes property taxes

Chicago mayor, Chicago Teachers Union want ‘millionaire tax’ money

Tax question on November ballot could open door for retirement tax

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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