Chicago Public Schools borrowed over $1.8 billion amid a delay in last year’s Cook County bills, adding interest costs and exposing the fragility of the district’s finances.

A federal judge found Cook County liable for damages to taxpayers who lost the equity in their homes because of an unconstitutional state law.

On July 1 the state tax will hit almost 50 cents a gallon. Lawmakers made automatic annual hikes.

The governor pins the issue on local governments, but state law and decisions contribute to the problem.

By freezing property values in a specific area, TIF districts artificially manipulate who pays the levy, leading to effective property tax hikes.