Illinois shoppers pay highest sales tax in Midwest, 8th in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

02/09/2023

Illinoisans shopping for Valentine’s Day will pay the highest sales tax in the Midwest and eighth-highest in the nation.

TAGS: sales tax

2022 midterms show mail voting spreads rapidly across Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

01/11/2023

Over 742,000 Illinoisans voted by mail in November, 67% more than the previous midterm. While many Northern Illinois counties saw record voter participation, Cook County reported its lowest turnout in 25 years.

TAGS: Illinois, vote-by-mail

Chicago Teachers Union tries to kill school choice for low-income students

By Hannah Schmid

12/30/2022

Spring test data shows demographic achievement gaps persist in Chicago Public Schools, yet the Chicago Teachers Union wants to eliminate a scholarship program giving low-income students a way out of the underperforming public school system.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Invest in Kids, tax credit scholarships

Shoppers pay 9% sales tax on Christmas gifts in Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

12/22/2022

Illinois shoppers will pay an average 8.81% in sales taxes on presents this holiday, the eighth most nationwide. Some Cook County communities will charge up to 11.5%.

TAGS: Illinois, sales tax

Illinois holiday travelers face hike on nation’s No. 2 gas taxes

By Patrick Andriesen

12/16/2022

Plenty of Illinoisans will be on the road this holiday season, with record-high travel across the nation. Filling up for the trip is pricey in Illinois and will get even pricier after Jan. 1.

TAGS: gas tax

$31,829 property tax bill robs ‘Home Alone’ house in 2022

By Dylan Sharkey

12/16/2022

Despite lower assessed value, thieving property taxes are on the rise for the old McCallister residence.

TAGS: home alone

Illinois Thanksgiving travelers pay 2nd-highest gas taxes in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

11/23/2022

AAA predicts nearly 55 million people will travel for Thanksgiving this year, only 2% less than Thanksgiving travel in 2019. Illinoisans hitting the road should try to fill up in other states.

TAGS: gas tax, Thanksgiving

Chicago Teachers Union backs its own lobbyist for Chicago mayor

By Dylan Sharkey

11/04/2022

Chicago Teachers Union leader Brandon Johnson announced his candidacy for Chicago mayor. It’s the latest push for political power by CTU, which has backed many campaigns including Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Patronage oversight ends for Cook County assessor’s office

11/03/2022

On Nov. 1 a federal judge decided to end decades-long patronage hiring oversight of the Cook County assessor’s office. Cronyism and patronage remain in Illinois, despite some government offices escaping federal court oversight.

TAGS: Cook County assessor, corruption, Shakman decrees

Who is running for judge in Illinois?

By Aimee Morrissey, Perry Zhao, Joe Tabor

11/03/2022

On Nov. 8, Illinoisans will vote for important judge positions, including three Illinois Supreme Court justices and 16 appellate court judges. Their decisions impact daily life, yet about 25% of voters leave their ballots blank when they get to the judges.

TAGS: election, judges

Cook County

Illinois shoppers pay highest sales tax in Midwest, 8th in nation

2022 midterms show mail voting spreads rapidly across Illinois

Chicago Teachers Union tries to kill school choice for low-income students

Shoppers pay 9% sales tax on Christmas gifts in Illinois

Illinois holiday travelers face hike on nation’s No. 2 gas taxes

$31,829 property tax bill robs ‘Home Alone’ house in 2022

Illinois Thanksgiving travelers pay 2nd-highest gas taxes in nation

Chicago Teachers Union backs its own lobbyist for Chicago mayor

Patronage oversight ends for Cook County assessor’s office

Who is running for judge in Illinois?

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