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...

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...

Lake County looks at 4-cent gas tax hike using law that doubled state gas tax

By Patrick Andriesen

03/05/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker approved doubling the state gas tax in 2019 and gave some counties and Chicago the power to hike local gas taxes. Lake County is the latest to consider doing so.

TAGS: gas tax, Lake County

Madigan’s legacy of corruption will survive his downfall, unless …

By Joe Tabor

11/19/2020

After decades under Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s rule, Illinois is corroding from his concentration of power. Robust ethics laws, rules and norms could stop a new Madigan from rising.

TAGS: ComEd, corruption, house, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, madigan, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain, reform, speaker

Multiple ‘fair tax’ proponents in Springfield implicated in federal probes

07/22/2020

Multiple state lawmakers have been charged or associated with criminal conduct after passing the progressive income tax amendment on to voters.

TAGS: bribery, ComEd, corruption, fair tax, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan

To prevent political bribery in Illinois, change the House Rules

By Joe Tabor

07/20/2020

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s power over Illinois politics is more precarious than ever. A steady stream of federal investigations, wiretaps and raids of people close to him, a deferred prosecution agreement with Commonwealth Edison wherein the utility giant admitted to bribing the speaker, and a grand jury subpoena served to Madigan’s office have led...

Former state Rep. Arroyo pleads not guilty to bribery charge

02/05/2020

Arroyo resigned from his seat in the Illinois General Assembly after his arrest in October on bribery charges. He now faces up to 10 years in prison for bribery.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, fair tax, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal investigation, graduated income tax, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Illinois House of Representatives, Illinois Senate, IRS: Internal Revenue Service, JB Pritzker, lobbying, Luis Arroyo, Martin Sandoval, progressive income tax, red light cameras, Springfield, tax fraud, Terry Link

Illinois Assistant Majority Leader arrested on federal bribery charge

By Austin Berg

10/28/2019

State Rep. Luis Arroyo was a key supporter of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s $45 billion infrastructure package, which was funded in part by a gambling expansion and doubling the state’s gas tax.

TAGS: corruption, JB Pritzker, Luis Arroyo, Mike Madigan

1 in 3 joint filers in Highland Park would see income tax hike if voters approve Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’

By Bryce Hill, Chena Underhill

10/14/2019

Voters statewide will decide whether 2,656 Highland Park taxpayers should send $81 million in additional income taxes to Springfield.

TAGS: fair tax, graduated income tax, Highland Park, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, taxes

Pension costs force suburban Illinois village to weigh new property tax

09/16/2019

Rising pension costs could force suburban Carol Stream to impose a property tax for the first time in five decades.

TAGS: Carol Stream, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

Highland Park

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

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Lake County looks at 4-cent gas tax hike using law that doubled state gas tax

Madigan’s legacy of corruption will survive his downfall, unless …

Multiple ‘fair tax’ proponents in Springfield implicated in federal probes

To prevent political bribery in Illinois, change the House Rules

Former state Rep. Arroyo pleads not guilty to bribery charge

Illinois Assistant Majority Leader arrested on federal bribery charge

1 in 3 joint filers in Highland Park would see income tax hike if voters approve Pritzker’s ‘fair tax’

Pension costs force suburban Illinois village to weigh new property tax

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