Illinois police pensions lock up local property taxes

By LyLena Estabine

11/18/2025

Across Illinois, police pensions are taking an ever-greater share of property tax dollars, leaving fewer resources for public safety.

Small lots lower Illinois housing prices, even for big homes

By LyLena Estabine

11/18/2025

A Lombard housing project shows how smaller lots can lower costs, boost development and help Illinois address its housing shortage.

TAGS: real estate

Illinois firefighter pensions torch local finances

By LyLena Estabine

11/17/2025

In Lake County and across Illinois, fire pensions are driving up property taxes and leaving fewer resources for safety.

Anti-Trump bluster hides Illinois vulnerability to federal control

By LyLena Estabine

11/14/2025

A new report finds Illinois lacks protection from federal overreach, with few safeguards to limit funding and mandates.

Housing gets boost by easing parking lot mandates near transit

By LyLena Estabine

11/13/2025

The Illinois General Assembly just eliminated parking minimums for developments near transit hubs. That flexibility should boost housing.

American Federation of Teachers place politics, leader priorities over members

By Mailee Smith

11/12/2025

Union accounting shows just 36% of its spending was on representing teachers in 2025, while it spent more than $41 million on politics.

TAGS: AFT: American Federation of Teachers

Scores down, absences up for Chicago low-income, minority students

By Hannah Schmid

11/12/2025

Chicago Public Schools’ low-income and minority students recorded lower proficiency rates than the state average. They are also missing more school.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Pritzker boosts lawsuit rights for outsiders, limits Illinoisans

By Joe Tabor

11/11/2025

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker made it harder for Illinoisans to sue the state but just made it easier for outsiders to sue businesses here.

Transit fares frozen as Chicago drivers hit with 45-cent toll hikes

By Ravi Mishra

11/11/2025

The transit rescue plan freezes fares, raises tolls, hikes sales taxes and diverts road funds – adding to taxpayers’ burdens.

Chicago’s high sales taxes about to increase to No. 1 in nation

By Ravi Mishra

11/11/2025

Chicago-area sales taxes were already No. 2 in the U.S., but new taxing authority handed to the Regional Transportation Authority will raise them to No. 1.

Illinois

Illinois police pensions lock up local property taxes

Small lots lower Illinois housing prices, even for big homes

Illinois firefighter pensions torch local finances

Anti-Trump bluster hides Illinois vulnerability to federal control

Housing gets boost by easing parking lot mandates near transit

American Federation of Teachers place politics, leader priorities over members

Scores down, absences up for Chicago low-income, minority students

Pritzker boosts lawsuit rights for outsiders, limits Illinoisans

Transit fares frozen as Chicago drivers hit with 45-cent toll hikes

Chicago’s high sales taxes about to increase to No. 1 in nation

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