Puzzled by property taxes: Improving transparency and fairness in Illinois’ assessment system

By Amy Korte

07/19/2018

Illinois should take steps toward more accurate and frequent property assessments to ensure the tax burden is distributed as fairly as possible.

Chicago, Cook County employees will see more money in their paychecks

By Mailee Smith

07/19/2018

At least 730 Cook County and 646 Chicago employees have been freed from paying forced union fees following the Janus v. AFSCME decision.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, agency fees, fair share, income tax, Janus v. AFSCME, taxes

Amid cuts to school band program, Norridge-area taxpayers fund 59 district employees making over $100K

By Vincent Caruso

07/18/2018

Duplicative school districts and an excess of publicly funded six-figure salaries have educated Norridge-Harwood Heights taxpayers on the benefits of consolidation.

TAGS: Norridge-Harwood Heights, property taxes, salaries, teacher salaries

Bottle racket: Illinois’ high alcohol taxes boost cost of Independence Day celebrations

By Eddie Damstra

07/03/2018

The Land of Lincoln has some of the highest alcohol taxes in the Midwest. And Illinoisans preparing for Independence Day are feeling the pinch.

TAGS: alcohol tax, craft beer, liquor laws, taxes

Cook County property tax bills set to increase by 5 percent

06/26/2018

Chicago homeowners will see their property tax bills rise by an average of $110 this summer. But suburban residents and business owners should also prepare for a hike.

TAGS: Cook County, Joseph Berrios, property taxes, taxes

Illinois lawmaker proposes making Chicago its own state

06/11/2018

Despite political differences between Chicago and much of the rest of the Land of Lincoln, making Chicago its own state is not a serious idea or good use of time.

TAGS: Bill Mitchell, Chicago, Reggie Phillips

For Speaker Madigan, when do drips become a flood?

By Austin Berg

06/07/2018

A few brave souls have come forward with their stories about the behavior under Madigan’s dome. But how many still feel powerless?

TAGS: Alaina Hampton, Bruce Rauner, Kevin Quinn, Marty Quinn, Mike Madigan, sexual harrassment, Shaw Decremer, Tim Mapes

Amid heavy ticketing, challenge to Chicago food truck regulations heads to Illinois Supreme Court

By Vincent Caruso

05/31/2018

Chicago’s regulatory roadblocks have derailed opportunity for the city’s food truck entrepreneurs. As a challenge to those restrictions reaches Illinois’ high court, the outcome of the case could be felt statewide.

TAGS: Chicago, CPD: Chicago Police Department, food trucks, Illinois Supreme Court, regulations

Property-tax-for-pensions plan would pummel Illinois homeowners

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

05/25/2018

With one proposal to pay off Illinois’ pension debt asking the typical homeowner to pay more than $1,900 in additional property taxes for the next 30 years, the stakes for pension reform have never been clearer.

Two things Illinois homeowners should know about the property tax assessment process

By illinoispolicy

05/21/2018

Inaccuracy and unfairness in the property tax assessment process mean some homeowners, especially those in poorer areas, pay a disproportionate share of the overall tax burden.

Cook County

Puzzled by property taxes: Improving transparency and fairness in Illinois’ assessment system

Chicago, Cook County employees will see more money in their paychecks

Amid cuts to school band program, Norridge-area taxpayers fund 59 district employees making over $100K

Bottle racket: Illinois’ high alcohol taxes boost cost of Independence Day celebrations

Cook County property tax bills set to increase by 5 percent

Illinois lawmaker proposes making Chicago its own state

For Speaker Madigan, when do drips become a flood?

Amid heavy ticketing, challenge to Chicago food truck regulations heads to Illinois Supreme Court

Property-tax-for-pensions plan would pummel Illinois homeowners

Two things Illinois homeowners should know about the property tax assessment process

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