Property tax relief task force votes against ending costly conflicts of interest

By Vincent Caruso

09/12/2019

Some Illinois lawmakers supplement their income doing property tax appeals work at private law firms. A property tax relief task force that includes some of those lawmakers killed a proposal to end that conflict of interest.

TAGS: Deanne Mazzochi, Ed Burke, Klafter & Burke, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan, property taxes

Anne Burke named chief justice of Illinois Supreme Court while husband faces corruption charges

By Vincent Caruso

09/11/2019

The Illinois Supreme Court elected Anne Burke chief justice as Ald. Ed Burke faces a 14-count indictment on federal corruption charges.

TAGS: Anne Burke, Chicago, Chicago City Council, corruption, Ed Burke, Illinois Supreme Court

Bureaucrats over classrooms: Illinois wastes millions of education dollars on unnecessary layers of administration

By Orphe Divounguy, Adam Schuster, Bryce Hill

09/09/2019

Illinoisans pay large sums for public education, yet a large portion of the money goes to Illinois’ bloated school district bureaucracy that diverts resources away from the classroom. Through smart, strategic reforms, Illinoisans can better prepare their youth for the future as well as provide property tax relief.

Cook County commission exploring property tax hike despite depressed home values

By Bryce Hill

09/04/2019

Average home prices in Cook County are 31% lower today than in 2007. Meanwhile, property tax bills have increased by 22%.

TAGS: Cook County, property taxes, taxes, Toni Preckwinkle

Burke steps down from property tax appeals business, Madigan remains

By Austin Berg

08/23/2019

Ald. Ed Burke has long been criticized for operating a lucrative law business in the politically clouted world of Cook County property tax appeals, a world in which the speaker of the Illinois House of Representative continues to make money.

TAGS: corruption, Ed Burke, Klafter & Burke, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan

Lightfoot looks to Springfield for more taxing power on high-end services, home sales

By Vincent Caruso

08/23/2019

Chicago’s mayor wants permission from Springfield to impose a new tax on high-end professional services and raise taxes on pricier home sales, as the city faces down a $1 billion deficit.

TAGS: Lori Lightfoot, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, real estate, service tax, taxes

New Illinois law ends $120 fee to clear false criminal records in Cook County

By Vincent Caruso

08/09/2019

A bill signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker will renew a pilot program in Cook County that waives fees for the expungement or sealing of criminal records for those who have been wrongfully accused of a crime.

TAGS: Arthur Turner, criminal justice reform, expungement, Jacqueline Collins, JB Pritzker

Cook County home values down 31%, property taxes up 22% since 2007

By Bryce Hill

08/06/2019

Without true pension reform, property taxes are only bound to continue swamping Cook County homeowners.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, home values, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

Illinois House bill would let state lawmakers ‘opt out’ of receiving annual raises

By Vincent Caruso

07/29/2019

A proposal in the Illinois House would allow lawmakers to forgo their annual cost-of-living increase in base salary. The move comes after former lawmakers sued for back pay.

Lightfoot proposes sweeping changes to Chicago’s heavy-handed ticketing, towing scheme

By Vincent Caruso

07/25/2019

The Chicago mayor unveiled plans to reform the city’s controversial system of handling vehicle violations, which has buried thousands of low-income residents in debt, taken their cars and licenses.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, Lori Lightfoot, ticket quotas

Cook County

Property tax relief task force votes against ending costly conflicts of interest

Anne Burke named chief justice of Illinois Supreme Court while husband faces corruption charges

Bureaucrats over classrooms: Illinois wastes millions of education dollars on unnecessary layers of administration

Cook County commission exploring property tax hike despite depressed home values

Burke steps down from property tax appeals business, Madigan remains

Lightfoot looks to Springfield for more taxing power on high-end services, home sales

New Illinois law ends $120 fee to clear false criminal records in Cook County

Cook County home values down 31%, property taxes up 22% since 2007

Illinois House bill would let state lawmakers ‘opt out’ of receiving annual raises

Lightfoot proposes sweeping changes to Chicago’s heavy-handed ticketing, towing scheme

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

Report Archive

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