A federal judge found Cook County liable for damages to taxpayers who lost the equity in their homes because of an unconstitutional state law.

The governor’s proposal would face challenges.

The amount of state and local taxes paid here also is near the nation’s highest.

Revamping how the state decides on spending would improve responsibility and transparency.

On July 1 the state tax will hit almost 50 cents a gallon. Lawmakers made automatic annual hikes.