Exposing insider politics of red-light cameras is aim of Illinois bill

By Patrick Andriesen

03/25/2021

After paying $1 billion in red-light camera fees, Illinoisans deserve to know more about how the devices are being pushed with their local political leaders.

TAGS: corruption, lobbying, red light cameras

What to know about voting early or by mail before April 6 in Cook County

By Patrick Andriesen

03/16/2021

Cook County voters have calendar dates to watch if they are voting early or by mail ahead of the April 6 election. Here’s what they need to know.

TAGS: Cook County, early voting, election, vote-by-mail

Political maps get 23 public hearings in April across Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

03/15/2021

Illinois House members scheduled public hearings before they try to redraw the maps showing who serves what area in Congress and the Statehouse. How they can legally create a map in June when Census data will not be out until September remains a question.

TAGS: fair maps, JB Pritzker, legislative district, redistricting

Illinois again ranks No. 2 in U.S. for highest property taxes

By Lisa Rigoni

03/04/2021

Illinois again ranked second for highest property tax rates in the nation in 2021, behind only New Jersey.

TAGS: pensions, population, property taxes

Chicago’s higher property taxes hit March 2

By Brad Weisenstein

03/01/2021

Cook County’s first property tax payments are due March 2. In Chicago, property taxes have grown more than 3 times faster than inflation for 20 years.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, pensions, property taxes

Fix or sell? Illinois’ high property taxes make either tough

By Hilary Gowins

02/11/2021

The nation’s second-highest property taxes could come down if Illinois cut school bureaucracy and reformed public pensions. Until they do, fixing the housing stock is a tough sell.

TAGS: pensions, property taxes

Illinois’ U.S. Senators urge Biden to keep public corruption-fighting prosecutor

By Patrick Andriesen

02/11/2021

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan and Chicago Ald. Ed Burke are among the politicians curbed by Chicago’s current U.S. Attorney. A bipartisan group is trying to keep him in place to continue public corruption prosecutions.

TAGS: corruption, Dick Durbin, Joe Biden, John Lausch, madigan, Tammy Duckworth

Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Illinois

By Brad Weisenstein

01/08/2021

This page will be updated daily to reflect developments related to the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois, JB Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot

Illinois’ sobering ‘sin taxes’ are among the nation’s highest this New Year’s

12/23/2020

Excise taxes have failed to improve Illinoisans’ health while creating an undue burden for those with the least. But lawmakers have yet to kick the habit.

TAGS: alcohol tax, cigarette tax, gas tax, sin taxes

Property taxes continue to rob owners of ‘Home Alone’ house

12/18/2020

Illinois homeowners pay double the national average on their property tax bills.

TAGS: home alone, property taxes, Winnetka

Cook County

Exposing insider politics of red-light cameras is aim of Illinois bill

What to know about voting early or by mail before April 6 in Cook County

Political maps get 23 public hearings in April across Illinois

Illinois again ranks No. 2 in U.S. for highest property taxes

Chicago’s higher property taxes hit March 2

Fix or sell? Illinois’ high property taxes make either tough

Illinois’ U.S. Senators urge Biden to keep public corruption-fighting prosecutor

Everything you need to know about COVID-19 in Illinois

Illinois’ sobering ‘sin taxes’ are among the nation’s highest this New Year’s

Property taxes continue to rob owners of ‘Home Alone’ house

Solutions for vacant lots would reduce crime and poverty in Chicago

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