Chicago lost more millionaires than any other U.S. city in 2015

By Michael Lucci

04/06/2016

Millionaires are playing a large role in the broader Chicago exodus.

Illinois corruption watch: March 2016

04/04/2016

Several instances of corruption and mismanagement of public property and trust came to light in March and included new developments in cases involving Chicago Public Schools’ former CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

TAGS: corruption

Chicago area sees greatest population loss of any major U.S. city in 2015

By Michael Lucci

03/25/2016

Census data are sounding a warning signal that Chicago and Illinois policy leaders don’t necessarily want to hear.

TAGS: Chicago, outmigration, population

Chicago’s total, effective tax rate on liquor is 28%

By Chris Lentino

03/21/2016

The combined federal, state, county and city taxes on alcohol result in a 28 percent effective tax rate on a bottle of spirits bought in Chicago.

TAGS: alcohol tax, Chicago

Illinois now home to the highest sales taxes in the Midwest

By Austin Berg

03/10/2016

Combined sales taxes in Illinois have leaped past those of every other state in the region.

TAGS: sales tax

Illinois corruption watch: February 2016

03/07/2016

Illinoisans’ confidence in their state government is the lowest of residents of any state in the nation, and corruption stories from February 2016 don’t help.

Illinois corruption watch: January 2016

02/12/2016

In January several instances of corruption, influence peddling and mismanagement across Illinois were brought to light, from the College of DuPage’s expense-account mismanagement, to Chicago’s red-light-camera bribery case.

Chicago cops retire to dodge punishment, collect 6-figure pensions

By Austin Berg

02/04/2016

Since Chicago officials received a city watchdog investigation recommending six officers be disciplined for their roles surrounding the killing of David Koschman by a nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, three have retired.

TAGS: Chicago, CPD: Chicago Police Department, criminal justice reform, pensions

Pensions 101: Understanding Illinois’ massive, government-worker pension crisis

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

02/03/2016

The crisis threatens to burden taxpayers with massive, ever-escalating taxes to bail out a system that is not sustainable – government-worker pensions consume a fourth of the state’s budget.

CPS’ postponed bond sale poses questions for Chicago and Emanuel

02/02/2016

Amid CPS’ postponed $875 million bond sale, Chicagoans should question whether the district can fill its budget hole and whether Emanuel will stand up for Chicago taxpayers or give in to more teachers union demands.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Cook County

Chicago lost more millionaires than any other U.S. city in 2015

Illinois corruption watch: March 2016

Chicago area sees greatest population loss of any major U.S. city in 2015

Chicago’s total, effective tax rate on liquor is 28%

Illinois now home to the highest sales taxes in the Midwest

Illinois corruption watch: February 2016

Illinois corruption watch: January 2016

Chicago cops retire to dodge punishment, collect 6-figure pensions

Pensions 101: Understanding Illinois’ massive, government-worker pension crisis

CPS’ postponed bond sale poses questions for Chicago and Emanuel

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