Kids home alone could land Illinois parents on naughty list

By Patrick Andriesen

12/24/2025

Illinois parents can now leave their kids home alone at any age, but a state worker or judge could still label their decision as neglect or abuse.

TAGS: home alone

Watching ‘Elf’ or ‘Home Alone’ costs $300M more in Chicago

By Dylan Sharkey

12/23/2025

Chicagoans pay extra to stream holiday movies on Netflix or Hulu because of the city’s 10.25% streaming tax. The cost was nearly $300 million in 2025.

TAGS: streaming tax

Property taxes rob ‘Home Alone’ house of nearly $52,000

By Patrick Andriesen

12/19/2025

The owners of Kevin McCallister’s house from the “Home Alone” movie will pay nearly $52,000 in property taxes this year.

Leaving kids home alone at Christmas could still land you on naughty list

By Patrick Andriesen

12/19/2024

Illinois no longer has the highest home alone age in the nation, but it might not be the Christmas gift parents were hoping for. Illinoisans should still get a sitter or risk coming under investigation.

Nearly $50K property tax bills robs ‘Home Alone’ house

By Patrick Andriesen

12/13/2024

The current owners of Kevin McCallister’s house from the “Home Alone” movie will pay nearly $50,000 in property taxes this year. Illinoisans pay more than twice as much as the typical American in property taxes.

TAGS: property taxes

Illinois’ occupational licenses make it easier for holiday burglars

By Dylan Sharkey

12/24/2023

Illinois’ burdensome licensing for security alarm installers discourage potential workers, potentially making Illinois an easier target for burglars such as the Grinch or the Wet Bandits from “Home Alone.”

Illinois has highest ‘Home Alone’ age in nation

By Dylan Sharkey

12/21/2023

Leaving a child under 14 home alone in Illinois is illegal. That’s the highest age of any state, with only three other states making that parental decision a matter of state law.

‘This Christmas’ your gift from Chicago is 9% tax, even if ‘Home Alone’

By Dylan Sharkey

12/21/2023

Streaming holiday movies or music? Chicago taxes it as the same rate as enjoying the same thing in person. The 9% amusement tax has included streaming services since 2015.

Property taxes on ‘Home Alone’ house jump 57% in 1 year

By Dylan Sharkey

12/19/2023

The current owners Kevin McCallister’s house from “Home Alone” will pay more than $50,000 in property taxes this year. Illinoisans pay the second-highest property taxes in the nation on average.

$31,829 property tax bill robs ‘Home Alone’ house in 2022

By Dylan Sharkey

12/16/2022

Despite lower assessed value, thieving property taxes are on the rise for the old McCallister residence.

TAGS: home alone

Home Alone

Kids home alone could land Illinois parents on naughty list

Watching ‘Elf’ or ‘Home Alone’ costs $300M more in Chicago

Property taxes rob ‘Home Alone’ house of nearly $52,000

Leaving kids home alone at Christmas could still land you on naughty list

Nearly $50K property tax bills robs ‘Home Alone’ house

Illinois’ occupational licenses make it easier for holiday burglars

Illinois has highest ‘Home Alone’ age in nation

‘This Christmas’ your gift from Chicago is 9% tax, even if ‘Home Alone’

Property taxes on ‘Home Alone’ house jump 57% in 1 year

$31,829 property tax bill robs ‘Home Alone’ house in 2022

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