New iPhone launches, but Illinoisans pay nation’s highest taxes to use it

By Dylan Sharkey

09/08/2025

Apple’s new iPhone launch on Sept. 9 may be a celebration for tech consumers, but it also makes the Illinois taxman smile. Illinois already had the nation’s highest tax rate on cell phone plans before it bumped up even more July 1.

When will Cook County expect 2nd property tax payment? Good question.

By Jerry Barmore

09/08/2025

The second installment of Cook County property taxes should have been paid Aug. 1. The county can’t get the calculations completed, so the bills are on hold.

TAGS: Cook County

Illinois property tax rate tops U.S., but pain worse in some areas

By LyLena Estabine

09/08/2025

Illinois' high property taxes hurt the economy, particularly in communities already struggling. When government overtaxes, residents and businesses flee – leaving those remaining with a bigger tax bill.

Southwestern Illinois taxpayers hand airport $160M to keep it open

By Brad Weisenstein

09/05/2025

MidAmerica St. Louis Airport has been a drain on taxpayers since it opened in 1995, requiring money from other county funds to keep it open. That total jumped last year to $14.83 million, bringing total subsidies since 2002 to $160 million.

Can your family get federal school choice grants? Likely, if Pritzker OKs

By Tom Viz, Jon Josko

09/05/2025

Use our calculator to see if your family is eligible to receive a school choice grant from the Educational Choice for Children Act. Then, sign the petition to tell Gov. J.B. Pritzker to let Illinois join the federal program.

Chicago Teachers Union invests nearly $1.8M, but 2-in-5 are lawmakers from outside Chicago

By Mailee Smith

09/05/2025

The Chicago Teachers Union is more political machine than labor union, putting nearly $1.8 million into the campaigns of 84 of 177 current lawmakers since 2010. But it may be losing its hold on Springfield.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Romeoville, Bolingbrook teachers union files strike notice

By Lilly Rossi

09/04/2025

The teachers union in the 10th-largest school district in Illinois has voted to authorize a strike. If an agreement is not reached, teachers in Romeoville and Bolingbrook could strike as soon as Sept. 15.

Illinois state university prices up 66% in 16 years

By Patrick Andriesen, Jack Knorr

09/04/2025

The cost of a state university education in Illinois increased 66% between 2009 and 2025, $6,028 more in tuition and fees per year. Blame declining enrollment, a bad state funding formula, pensions and high administrative costs.

TAGS: college tuition, higher education

Illinois tops U.S. in college spending, but loses over 106K students

By Patrick Andriesen, Jack Knorr

09/04/2025

Illinois ranked No. 1 for spending per student on higher education in 2024, paying more than double the national average. Declining enrollment, poorly structured finances, growing pension payments and bloated administration have driven up costs.

TAGS: college tuition, higher education

Selling every NBA team wouldn’t be enough to fill Illinois’ pension hole

By LyLena Estabine

09/02/2025

The five pension systems run by the state of Illinois only have 46 cents on hand for every $1 of benefits they owe. Filling that $144 billion hole would require more money than the price of every NBA team combined.

Illinois

New iPhone launches, but Illinoisans pay nation’s highest taxes to use it

When will Cook County expect 2nd property tax payment? Good question.

Illinois property tax rate tops U.S., but pain worse in some areas

Southwestern Illinois taxpayers hand airport $160M to keep it open

Can your family get federal school choice grants? Likely, if Pritzker OKs

Chicago Teachers Union invests nearly $1.8M, but 2-in-5 are lawmakers from outside Chicago

Romeoville, Bolingbrook teachers union files strike notice

Illinois state university prices up 66% in 16 years

Illinois tops U.S. in college spending, but loses over 106K students

Selling every NBA team wouldn’t be enough to fill Illinois’ pension hole

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