Union control: 9 of 10 Illinois lawmakers have received money from unions

By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko

07/06/2023

Current lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly have received $60.2 million in contributions from unions since 2010. Most of that cash went to Democrats.

TAGS: unions

Illinois lawmakers get $4,250 raise just months after $12,000 raise

By Justin Carlson

06/29/2023

Illinois state lawmakers had tried to bump their pay by 5.5%, but that violated the state constitution. The must settle for 5%, meaning they will make nearly $90,000 a year.

Illinois’ pension bonanza: invest $166K, take home $5.5M

By Patrick Andriesen

06/15/2023

Being in the top 10 of Illinois’ five statewide pension systems is an investor’s dream and a taxpayer’s nightmare. The median investment is shy of $166,000, but the estimated lifetime payout is $5.5 million.

What to know before Brandon Johnson becomes mayor of Chicago

By Patrick Andriesen

05/12/2023

Former Cook County Commissioner and Chicago Teachers Union lobbyist Brandon Johnson will be sworn in as the 57th mayor of Chicago May 15. Here’s what Chicagoans should know about his political ties, policy proposals and prospects.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Cook County pension ‘fix’ could cost Illinois billions, fail to fund retirements

By Justin Carlson

05/02/2023

The proposal by state Sen. Robert Martwick is intended to fix a technical problem with the Tier 2 pension system, but Martwick said he doesn’t know how much it could cost taxpayers. He said it could be “billions.”

Poll: Most Illinoisans support constitutional pension reform

By Dylan Sharkey

04/25/2023

Fifty-six percent of Illinoisans support amending the Illinois Constitution to reform the state’s public pension systems. Illinois has the nation’s least-funded pension plans.

What Brandon Johnson’s tax plan needs from Chicago aldermen, Springfield

By Joe Tabor

04/24/2023

Chicago’s incoming mayor, Brandon Johnson, has a long list of tax proposals for the city, but he will have to get all of them past the City Council and some past the Illinois General Assembly.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Poll: Nearly 3-in-5 Illinoisans say property taxes don’t deliver value

By Dylan Sharkey

04/24/2023

Fifty-eight percent of Illinois voters polled said their property taxes don’t provide enough value in public services. Illinoisans pay the second-highest property taxes in the nation.

How Illinois politicians allow government unions to rewrite state law

By Mailee Smith, Hannah Schmid

04/06/2023

No other state’s constitution or labor laws are like Illinois’ – broadly allowing government unions to override statutes simply by negotiating contrary provisions into collective bargaining agreements. Illinois may not be alone for long.

Illinois families pay highest state, local taxes in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

03/21/2023

A new WalletHub study found the typical household in Illinois pays 15% of its income to state and local taxes, the highest in the nation. That’s an average of $10,463 – a 22% hike since 2017.

Constitution of Illinois

Union control: 9 of 10 Illinois lawmakers have received money from unions

Illinois lawmakers get $4,250 raise just months after $12,000 raise

Illinois’ pension bonanza: invest $166K, take home $5.5M

What to know before Brandon Johnson becomes mayor of Chicago

Cook County pension ‘fix’ could cost Illinois billions, fail to fund retirements

Poll: Most Illinoisans support constitutional pension reform

What Brandon Johnson’s tax plan needs from Chicago aldermen, Springfield

Poll: Nearly 3-in-5 Illinoisans say property taxes don’t deliver value

How Illinois politicians allow government unions to rewrite state law

Illinois families pay highest state, local taxes in nation

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