Cook County homeowners paid $2 billion extra in property taxes because of appeal process

By LyLena Estabine, Cameron Jasper

08/15/2025

When a Cook County business successfully appeals their property taxes, the county just shifts that burden to homeowners. This meant an extra $2 billion in residential property taxes instead of a lower property tax levy.

Illinois needs a limitation on special property tax district extensions

By LyLena Estabine, Cameron Jasper

08/15/2025

Tax increment financing districts divert public property tax dollars with little oversight, letting cities keep special taxing powers for decades, often misusing funds and shortchanging taxpayers.

TAGS: TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Government benefit system traps 710,000 Illinoisans

By Dylan Sharkey

08/14/2025

Benefit programs in Illinois punish people for hard work. An estimated 710,000 Illinoisans have intentionally held themselves back financially to avoid losing government benefits.

Chicago retirement fund for first responders at greater risk

By LyLena Estabine

08/14/2025

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law adding $11.1 billion in new liabilities to Chicago’s fire and police pensions, already the worst-funded in the nation. These “sweeteners” hurt retirement security more than they help.

Back to school: 3rd grade reading key to helping 2-in-3 struggling Illinois juniors

By Hannah Schmid

08/14/2025

Students in Illinois are steadily returning to class across Illinois’ 866 school districts and 3,835 schools. The state’s public schools have a lot of room for improvement to prepare students for life beyond the classroom.

TAGS: public schools

Illinois lawmakers churn through 31K pages of bills on last day of session

By Lilly Rossi

08/13/2025

Illinois General Assembly members filed 31,011 pages of amendments to bills in the last 24 hours of the 2025 regular session. Truly understanding what they were deciding would require reading 22 pages per minute.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly

Pritzker averages a trip out of Illinois per month while polishing national profile

By Charlotte Rotkis

08/13/2025

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s extensive out-of-state travel raises questions about whether he’s prioritizing national exposure over challenges facing Illinois. During a 12-month stretch, he averaged one out-of-state trip per month.

7 reasons Illinois should let students accept school choice scholarships

By Hannah Schmid

08/13/2025

The national Educational Choice for Children Act creates a federal tax-credit scholarship program for both public and private school students to help boost them academically. Here are seven reasons why Illinois should opt into the program.

TAGS: school choice

How well is your school district teaching reading, math compared to cost?

By Pragya Mishra, Hannah Schmid

08/13/2025

With most property taxes going to local public schools, Illinois parents and taxpayers should know how well third- through eighth-grade students read and perform math at local public school districts compared to the cost per student.

Illinois law still says unpaid property taxes can rob you of home equity

By Cameron Jasper, LyLena Estabine

08/12/2025

Across Illinois, homeowners are losing their homes and all their equity over minor tax debts, with private investors reaping the profits. Illinois is one of the remaining states hasn’t reformed this unconstitutional practice.

Illinois

Cook County homeowners paid $2 billion extra in property taxes because of appeal process

Illinois needs a limitation on special property tax district extensions

Government benefit system traps 710,000 Illinoisans

Chicago retirement fund for first responders at greater risk

Back to school: 3rd grade reading key to helping 2-in-3 struggling Illinois juniors

Illinois lawmakers churn through 31K pages of bills on last day of session

Pritzker averages a trip out of Illinois per month while polishing national profile

7 reasons Illinois should let students accept school choice scholarships

How well is your school district teaching reading, math compared to cost?

Illinois law still says unpaid property taxes can rob you of home equity

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