Cook County property tax delays hit Evanston, other schools

By LyLena Estabine

01/29/2026

Cook County’s delayed property tax bills are straining school districts with nearly $122 million in unexpected, unneeded costs.

Mandating unaffordability: How Chicago’s housing affordability requirements decrease supply and increase costs

By Josh Bandoch, LyLena Estabine

10/01/2025

As housing prices continue to soar out of reach for more Americans, an impulse from policy makers across the country has been to attempt to mandate “affordable” prices through legislation. One common idea is rent control, which limits how much landlords can increase rents on residents. A related one is inclusionary zoning, which forces developers...

Chicago, Evanston leaders push for noncitizens to vote in local elections

By Chris Coffey

07/09/2024

The surge of migrants to Chicago and Illinois has made noncitizen voting rights an issue. Chicago and Evanston leaders wanted noncitizens to vote in local elections. Illinois Senators wanted to prevent them from voting. Neither side has secured any changes.

TAGS: elections

Can noncitizens vote in Illinois? Depends on the election

By Chris Coffey

07/09/2024

The influx of migrants to Chicago and Illinois presents a potential voting bloc ahead of the 2024 election. Some politicians have tried to get them the vote. Others have tried to prevent it.

TAGS: election

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...

Chicago speed cameras fined motorists over $102M in 2023

By Patrick Andriesen

04/29/2024

Chicago speed cameras hit motorists with over $102 million in fines during 2023, and $879 million total since they started flashing a decade ago. The mayor promised to eliminate the automated traffic cams, which issued a ticket every 20 seconds last year.

TAGS: Chicago

DuPage County taxpayers may save $100M by cutting government layers

By Dylan Sharkey

10/04/2022

DuPage County consolidated seven taxing bodies to streamline government. The move will save $100 million for taxpayers over two decades.

TAGS: DuPage County, local government consolidation

Springfield asks residents to remove duplicate layer of government

By Dylan Sharkey

09/29/2022

The Springfield City Council voted to add an advisory referendum to the April ballot asking voters whether to eliminate the local township and let the city handle its duties.

TAGS: local government consolidation, townships

Illinois is No. 1 in government units, keeping property taxes sky high

By Dylan Sharkey

05/22/2022

Illinois has 6,032 local governments, the most in the nation by a wide margin – and that excludes 859 school districts. It’s the main reason Illinoisans pay the nation’s second-highest property taxes.

TAGS: Citizens Empowerment Act, local government consolidation, property taxes

Illinois is No. 1 in government units, keeping property taxes sky high

By Dylan Sharkey

04/29/2022

TAGS: Citizens Empowerment Act, Illinois, local government consolidation

Evanston

Cook County property tax delays hit Evanston, other schools

Mandating unaffordability: How Chicago’s housing affordability requirements decrease supply and increase costs

Chicago, Evanston leaders push for noncitizens to vote in local elections

Can noncitizens vote in Illinois? Depends on the election

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Chicago speed cameras fined motorists over $102M in 2023

DuPage County taxpayers may save $100M by cutting government layers

Springfield asks residents to remove duplicate layer of government

Illinois is No. 1 in government units, keeping property taxes sky high

Illinois is No. 1 in government units, keeping property taxes sky high

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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