FBI raids office of powerful Chicago Ald. Ed Burke

By Austin Berg

11/29/2018

Burke has served on the Chicago City Council for nearly 50 years, and has long been the subject of ethical complaints from government watchdogs.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, corruption, Ed Burke

Norridge hikes property taxes by more than 35 percent to pay for pensions

By Vincent Caruso

11/27/2018

Pressured by police pension costs, Norridge trustees voted to hike the village’s property tax levy by more than 35 percent.

TAGS: municipal pensions, Norridge, Norridge-Harwood Heights, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

Gas tax hike may be around the corner for Gov.-elect JB Pritzker

By Austin Berg

11/08/2018

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is reportedly gunning for a transportation bill that could come with an increase in the gas tax.

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker, sales tax, VMT: vehicle miles traveled

Vernon Township voters drive their road district to the junkyard

By Vincent Caruso

11/08/2018

Voters just north of Cook County scrap an unnecessary layer of local government and its six-figure commissioner.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, property taxes, taxes

Coke County: Townships overwhelmingly reject bringing back soda tax

11/07/2018

Voters across seven Cook County townships strongly oppose a return of the sweetened beverage tax.

TAGS: Cook County, soda tax, Toni Preckwinkle

Madison County voters eliminate office of recorder of deeds

By Brad Weisenstein

11/07/2018

Madison County voters decided Nov. 6 that responsibilities such as recording land transfers and maintaining deeds no longer justify a separate office for an elected official.

TAGS: local government consolidation, Madison County, pensions, property taxes

Lake County village rejects sales tax referendum

By Janelle Cammenga

11/07/2018

A proposed 1 percent sales tax would have increased the village of Barrington’s sales tax burden to among the highest in the nation.

TAGS: Barrington, Lake County, sales tax, taxes

Park Ridge voters to decide on $350 property tax hike for median homeowner

10/29/2018

Voters in Maine Township High School District 207 will consider Nov. 6 whether to approve a $195 million bond referendum to update its three high schools in northern Cook County.

TAGS: ballot referendums, bonds, property taxes, taxes

Pensions, debt push Oak Lawn toward ‘junk’ credit rating

By Vincent Caruso

10/21/2018

The Chicago suburb is facing severe fiscal challenges brought about by its unsustainable pension burden and $75 million in debt – a trend that has become too common among Illinois municipalities.

TAGS: budget, credit rating, municipal pensions, Oak Lawn, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes

Politically connected Rosemont employee earns 5 times the typical area household

10/16/2018

Christopher Stephens’ family ties landed him a position in local government – and an annual income far eclipsing that of local taxpayers.

TAGS: Brad Stephens, Christopher Stephens, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont

Cook County

FBI raids office of powerful Chicago Ald. Ed Burke

Norridge hikes property taxes by more than 35 percent to pay for pensions

Gas tax hike may be around the corner for Gov.-elect JB Pritzker

Vernon Township voters drive their road district to the junkyard

Coke County: Townships overwhelmingly reject bringing back soda tax

Madison County voters eliminate office of recorder of deeds

Lake County village rejects sales tax referendum

Park Ridge voters to decide on $350 property tax hike for median homeowner

Pensions, debt push Oak Lawn toward ‘junk’ credit rating

Politically connected Rosemont employee earns 5 times the typical area household

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

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