Chicago’s commercial property taxes 2X U.S. city average, kill opportunity

By Cameron Jasper, LyLena Estabine

08/01/2025

Chicago’s high commercial property taxes hurt both businesses and homeowners. The result is less business, fewer jobs and growing inequality across communities.

TAGS: property taxes

Vallas: Pritzker, Johnson keep playing Trump card

By Paul Vallas

04/25/2025

Deep-blue Illinois had President Biden to bail out the state’s and Chicago’s financial failings. Now city and state leaders have President Trump to blame for their financial failings. Eventually, taxpayers will be held responsible.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, JB Pritzker

Half of states let cities declare bankruptcy. Here’s why Illinois might want to.

By Lilly Rossi

03/05/2025

Illinois has some of the highest property taxes in the country. Chapter 9 would allow local governments to address the root cause.

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

By Joe Tabor

02/10/2025

Published Feb. 10, 2025 Even though federal COVID relief funds provided an unexpected windfall, that one-time jolt of cash could leave many Illinois localities even worse off than they were before. That boost in revenue allowed local governments to put off difficult budgeting decisions, and as that revenue dries up, municipalities will have to contend...

Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget breaks property tax promise

By Lauren Zuar, Ravi Mishra

10/30/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered his 2025 budget Oct. 30, including a nearly $1 billion deficit, runaway spending and low revenues that have him breaking his campaign promise not to raise property taxes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, property taxes

Johnson hides 8 Chicago homeless camps from Democratic delegates

By Patrick Andriesen

08/20/2024

While Mayor Brandon Johnson has denied clearing Chicago’s homeless encampments had anything to do with the Democratic National Convention, his administration has said otherwise. Even his allies suspect a double standard.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, DNC: Democratic National Convention

Chicago’s affordable housing crisis can be fixed without tax hikes

By Ravi Mishra

07/18/2024

Chicago housing affordability is among the lowest in the Midwest, driven primarily by restrictive land-use policies and slow approvals. Low-income families have it worse than in other large Midwestern cities.

TAGS: housing

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

07/09/2024

Published July 9, 2024 America is facing a housing affordability crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 73% of Americans said the average person could not afford a home in their area, and 69% were worried about their children and grandchildren being able to afford a home. That’s unfair. Everyone deserves a good roof over their...

Our perspective: Chicago’s commercial real estate market still hasn’t recovered from pandemic

By Hilary Gowins

02/08/2024

Editor’s note: There is a lot of information coming at you every day, but not a lot of context. The Illinois Policy Institute is launching "Our Perspective" to give you our take on topics of the day so you can better shape your take on them.

TAGS: housing market, real estate

United Van Lines: Illinois 2nd in nation for residents leaving

By Dylan Sharkey

01/02/2024

Illinois saw the second-highest rate of residents moving out in the nation based on a survey by United Van Lines. Illinois has experienced 10 straight years of population loss.

Detroit

Chicago’s commercial property taxes 2X U.S. city average, kill opportunity

Vallas: Pritzker, Johnson keep playing Trump card

Half of states let cities declare bankruptcy. Here’s why Illinois might want to.

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

Johnson’s 2025 Chicago budget breaks property tax promise

Johnson hides 8 Chicago homeless camps from Democratic delegates

Chicago’s affordable housing crisis can be fixed without tax hikes

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Our perspective: Chicago’s commercial real estate market still hasn’t recovered from pandemic

United Van Lines: Illinois 2nd in nation for residents leaving

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