Judge rules Cook County tax sale illegal; lawmakers yet to act

By LyLena Estabine

12/16/2025

A federal judge ruled Cook County is illegally settling minor property tax debts by seizing the full value of properties. Illinois law still allows the practice.

Cook County property taxes funding pensions more than service

By LyLena Estabine

12/15/2025

Cook County homeowners face rising property taxes. Three-fourths of that money is going to police and fire pensions instead of services.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, pensions, property taxes

Transit sales tax hike makes suburbs pay for Chicago problems

By Dylan Sharkey

12/09/2025

Chicago-area transit riders deserve safe, reliable service. But the Regional Transportation Authority board might soon ask the wrong people to pay for it.

TAGS: RTA: Regional Transportation Authority

Handing out money without work fails, but Illinois trying it again

By Josh Bandoch

12/03/2025

A 2024 study showed handing people money they hadn’t worked for hurt them, but Illinois lawmakers are putting $827,272 in tax dollars behind the idea again.

TAGS: UBI: Universal Basic Income

Federal aid feeds over 1M Illinois families this Thanksgiving

By Patrick Andriesen

11/27/2025

Over 1 million Illinois families will put turkey on the table this Thanksgiving with the help of federal food assistance.

Small businesses create all Cook County jobs since 2020

By Bryce Hill

11/26/2025

Chicagoans have even more to be thankful for on Small Business Saturday: small businesses created all Cook County’s net new jobs since the pandemic.

Chicago’s high sales taxes about to increase to No. 1 in nation

By Ravi Mishra

11/11/2025

Chicago-area sales taxes were already No. 2 in the U.S., but new taxing authority handed to the Regional Transportation Authority will raise them to No. 1.

Baker & Taylor library supplier closing, laying off 318

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

11/10/2025

A major library supplier formerly employing 1,500 will cease operations at the end of the year, laying off 318 workers in October at its Momence distribution center.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

Cook County property tax bills finally getting mailed, due Dec. 15

By Patrick Andriesen

11/10/2025

Cook County leaders announced the second installment of property tax bills will be mailed by Nov. 14 with a Dec. 15 due date.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes

Illinois, Chicago voters rank high taxes as No. 1 issue

By Patrick Andriesen

11/04/2025

More than half of Illinois voters and one-third of Chicago voters said high taxes were their No. 1 concern. Despite that, Springfield and Chicago politicians both are hiking taxes again to spend more.

Cook County

Judge rules Cook County tax sale illegal; lawmakers yet to act

Cook County property taxes funding pensions more than service

Transit sales tax hike makes suburbs pay for Chicago problems

Handing out money without work fails, but Illinois trying it again

Federal aid feeds over 1M Illinois families this Thanksgiving

Small businesses create all Cook County jobs since 2020

Chicago’s high sales taxes about to increase to No. 1 in nation

Baker & Taylor library supplier closing, laying off 318

Cook County property tax bills finally getting mailed, due Dec. 15

Illinois, Chicago voters rank high taxes as No. 1 issue

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