Illinois’ population decline crisis continues to affect virtually all counties despite fewer losses in 2023. Cook County saw nation’s second-highest number of residents moving out.
Chicago’s March 19 primary election includes Mayor Brandon Johnson’s real estate transfer tax hike to raise $100 million, dubbed “Bring Chicago Home.” Will higher taxes without a plan help homeless Chicagoans or hurt their job prospects?
Votes on Chicago’s March 19 referendum will count, according to an Illinois Appellate Court ruling. Now voters must weigh the merits of the real estate transfer tax hike.
The Illinois State Board of Education released a late, flawed report on the Invest in Kids scholarship program. Despite comparing apples to oranges, the report shows the Invest in Kids program worked for low-income kids.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and advocates for a hiked real estate transfer tax argue the rich need to pay their fair share, but many local businesses fall in their definition of “rich.”
The Chicago Teachers Union is pushing a plan to tax “mansions.” But the tax would mainly hit commercial buildings, such as the building where the union is housed.
The Chicago Teachers Union funneled at least $200,000 into the ballot question Mayor Brandon Johnson claims will raise taxes to help the homeless. With no plan on how the money will reduce homelessness, it could become a slush fund for his CTU friends.
The Chicago Board of Elections will appeal a Cook County judge’s ruling that Johnson’s $100 million real estate tax plan on the March 19 ballot is unconstitutional and invalid.