Cook County ends $80 ‘wheel tax’ for 50,000 drivers

By Patrick Andriesen

09/23/2022

The Cook County Board voted unanimously to repeal the sticker mandate on drivers living in unincorporated Cook County starting in 2023. Drivers will save at least $80 a year.

TAGS: Cook County, wheel tax

Pritzker tells 2 state senators to resign after corruption allegations

By Patrick Andriesen

09/23/2022

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is demanding resignations from two longtime Democratic state senators. One faces federal bribery charges in connection with red-light cameras. The other allegations of domestic abuse and harassment of a top staffer.

TAGS: red light cameras

State senator faces federal bribery charges in red-light camera scheme

By Dylan Sharkey

09/20/2022

Illinois state Sen. Emil Jones III is the latest politician charged with bribery as well as lying to the FBI in a corruption probe involving red-light cameras.

TAGS: red light cameras

Chicago pension funds still among nation’s worst funded

08/16/2022

Over-promised benefits continue to sink Chicago’s finances as the recent bear market eats into 2021 stock market gains. Investments gaining 25% last year plus federal aid didn’t offer much help to city pension systems, which have more debt than 45 states.

TAGS: Chicago, pensions

Contempt citation No. 12: DCFS forces girl to wait 170 days in mental hospital

By Dylan Sharkey

07/12/2022

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith faces his 12th contempt of court order of 2022. In the latest, the judge ruled Smith failed to place a 15-year-old girl in proper housing for 170 days, leaving her in a mental hospital.

TAGS: DCFS: Department of Children and Family Services, Marc Smith

New minimum wages in effect July 1 for Chicago, Cook County

By Dylan Sharkey

07/01/2022

Minimum wages for Chicago and Cook County are increasing July 1. Inflation has rapidly outpaced wage growth, cutting the average Illinoisan’s pay by $2,200.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, economy, inflation, minimum wage

Illinois drivers pay $35 more to fill up on gas than one year ago

By Patrick Andriesen

06/30/2022

Drivers are now paying $35 more to fill-up on regular gasoline and $65 more for diesel than they were a year ago. Gas taxes eat more than one-fifth of every tank.

TAGS: gas prices, gas tax, JB Pritzker, motor fuel tax, taxes

Amendment 1 will cost typical Cook County homeowner $2,933

By Bryce Hill

06/20/2022

See how much more you can expect to pay in property taxes unless voters reject the first question atop Illinois’ ballot Nov. 8.

TAGS: Amendment 1, Cook County

Chicago’s combined state and local taxpayer debt burden worst in the nation

By Justin Carlson

06/07/2022

Fiscal watchdog Truth in Accounting reports every Chicagoan is on the hook for $135,700 when combining city and state debt.

TAGS: Chicago, tax burden, Truth in Accounting

Cook County board gives itself 10% raise, automatic future pay increases

By Francesco Rahe, Patrick Andriesen

06/03/2022

The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted May 24 to increase its members’ salaries 10% in December, followed by automatic annual pay increases each year up to 3%. Civic groups say the perpetual pay hikes pose future concern.

TAGS: Cook County Board, lawmaker pay

Cook County

Cook County ends $80 ‘wheel tax’ for 50,000 drivers

Pritzker tells 2 state senators to resign after corruption allegations

State senator faces federal bribery charges in red-light camera scheme

Chicago pension funds still among nation’s worst funded

Contempt citation No. 12: DCFS forces girl to wait 170 days in mental hospital

New minimum wages in effect July 1 for Chicago, Cook County

Illinois drivers pay $35 more to fill up on gas than one year ago

Amendment 1 will cost typical Cook County homeowner $2,933

Chicago’s combined state and local taxpayer debt burden worst in the nation

Cook County board gives itself 10% raise, automatic future pay increases

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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