Property taxes up 13 percent on average Chicago home

By Austin Berg

06/14/2016

The average single-family home in Chicago will see a $400 increase in property taxes. And property-tax revenues for the city of Chicago will top $1 billion for the first time in city history.

TAGS: Chicago, property rights, Rahm Emanuel

Madigan continues to block term limits

By Austin Berg

05/05/2016

Madigan has been in office since 1971 and has served as Illinois House speaker for 31 of the past 33 years.

TAGS: John Cullerton, Mike Madigan, term limits

Burke saved Trump $11.7M in Chicago property-tax appeal scheme

By Austin Berg

04/30/2016

Donald Trump, Chicago Alderman Edward Burke

Flawed property valuations and the process required to fix them are a cash cow for law firms, including those of House Speaker Mike Madigan, Chicago Alderman Ed Burke and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton.

TAGS: Chicago, Donald Trump, Ed Burke, property taxes

Chicago passes smokeless-tobacco ban for city ballparks

03/30/2016

Chicago recently became the fourth city to ban smokeless tobacco at ballparks, and is home to the nation’s highest tobacco tax.

TAGS: Chicago, regulations

Help save ridesharing in Chicago

By Austin Berg

03/24/2016

Chicago aldermen, some of whom receive financial support from the taxicab industry, are looking to burden Uber and Lyft drivers with expensive chauffer’s licenses.

TAGS: rideshare, Uber

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.

Chicago City Council passes weakened oversight ordinance at Burke’s bidding

By Austin Berg

02/11/2016

Chicago aldermen voted in favor of an ordinance that was changed to shield City Council from the auditing powers of Inspector General Joe Ferguson.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption

Chicago aldermen look to kneecap oversight in City Council vote

By Austin Berg

02/05/2016

Aldermen say they want oversight, but they don’t want anyone to be able to audit them. What do they have to hide?

TAGS: Chicago, Ed Burke

FBI seizes files as Chicago aldermen oust oversight

By Austin Berg

11/17/2015

Chicago aldermen are now operating without a city watchdog.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption

Chicago aldermen move to shackle rideshare drivers with licensing scheme

By Austin Berg

10/23/2015

As companies such as Uber fight to bring driving jobs to underserved neighborhoods, City Council wants to require expensive licensing in exchange for access to customers at airports.

TAGS: rideshare

Edward M. Burke

Property taxes up 13 percent on average Chicago home

Madigan continues to block term limits

Burke saved Trump $11.7M in Chicago property-tax appeal scheme

Chicago passes smokeless-tobacco ban for city ballparks

Help save ridesharing in Chicago

Illinois corruption watch: February 2016

Chicago City Council passes weakened oversight ordinance at Burke’s bidding

Chicago aldermen look to kneecap oversight in City Council vote

FBI seizes files as Chicago aldermen oust oversight

Chicago aldermen move to shackle rideshare drivers with licensing scheme

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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