Union pay raise could force Kane County property tax hike

By Vincent Caruso

04/03/2018

As Kane County officials prepare for union contract negotiations, county taxpayers might soon be bracing for higher property taxes.

TAGS: collective bargaining, Kane County, labor, salaries, unions

House committee passes bill capping growth in administrative spending at Illinois schools

By Vincent Caruso

02/28/2018

Illinois' spending on administrative costs is among the highest in the nation, sapping scarce dollars from the classroom. But a new bill would slow the growth in these expenses and align them with taxpayers' ability to pay.

TAGS: consolidation, school district consolidation, spending cap

House bill would cap growth in sky-high administrative spending at Illinois schools

By Vincent Caruso

02/14/2018

Illinois' spending on administrative costs is among the highest in the nation, sapping scarce dollars from the classroom. But a new bill would slow the growth in these expenses and align them with taxpayers' ability to pay.

TAGS: pensions, salaries, school district consolidation

Chicago vehicle sticker price increase starts today

By Vincent Caruso

02/01/2018

The Office of the City Clerk announced that the change in prices for annual vehicle stickers would follow Consumer Price Index changes.

TAGS: Chicago, taxes, vehicle registration

80% of Cook County municipalities have opted out of minimum wage, sick leave ordinances

By Amy Korte, Marianna Schmiesing

07/31/2017

The number of Cook County municipalities that have opted out of both ordinances has climbed to 107.

TAGS: Cook County, jobs, minimum wage

More than 50 municipalities have opted out of Cook County’s minimum wage hike, sick days mandate

By Amy Korte

06/26/2017

Municipal leaders have expressed concerns about the anti-competitive, job-killing effects of Cook County’s minimum wage increases and new sick leave law and are using home rule authority to exempt their communities from the requirements.

TAGS: Cook County, jobs, minimum wage, unemployment

Chicago’s inspector general suggests unions negotiate commonsense provisions in government worker contracts

By Mailee Smith

06/07/2017

Among the inspector general’s suggestions are shortening the length of contracts, allowing subcontractors to take over more services, and keeping employee compensation in line with what taxpayers can afford.

TAGS: Chicago, Joseph Ferguson, labor, unions

Rauner’s proposed budget holds the line on the Illinois health-care spending

By Naomi Lopez Bauman

02/19/2015

Health-care savings come from proposed cuts to state-employee health insurance, reinstating Medicaid reforms and ending duplicative services.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, health care, spending

Openthebooks.com examines soaring school district spending in IL

By Brian Costin

09/06/2014

Illinoisans’ average property tax rates as a percentage of home value have soared to 2.28 percent in 2012 from 1.93 percent in 2010. This is the second highest rate in the nation. Many Illinois residents are asking why their taxes are so high, and are curious as to where all this is money going. One organization,...

TAGS: education, good government, transparency

State union contract had called for two more rounds of raises at start of 2012

01/03/2012

Gov. Quinn and the unions are still bickering over money for state raises, but the contract had called for two raises at the start of 2012.

Consumer price index

Union pay raise could force Kane County property tax hike

House committee passes bill capping growth in administrative spending at Illinois schools

House bill would cap growth in sky-high administrative spending at Illinois schools

Chicago vehicle sticker price increase starts today

80% of Cook County municipalities have opted out of minimum wage, sick leave ordinances

More than 50 municipalities have opted out of Cook County’s minimum wage hike, sick days mandate

Chicago’s inspector general suggests unions negotiate commonsense provisions in government worker contracts

Rauner’s proposed budget holds the line on the Illinois health-care spending

Openthebooks.com examines soaring school district spending in IL

State union contract had called for two more rounds of raises at start of 2012

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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