Pensions make Illinois property taxes among nation’s most painful

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

07/30/2018

Any meaningful property tax relief for Illinoisans means reforming Illinois’ unsustainable public pension system.

Puzzled by property taxes: Improving transparency and fairness in Illinois’ assessment system

By Amy Korte

07/19/2018

Illinois should take steps toward more accurate and frequent property assessments to ensure the tax burden is distributed as fairly as possible.

Most of Lake County’s largest communities are shrinking

By Austin Berg

07/09/2018

Many communities in the northern Illinois border county are having trouble attracting and retaining residents.

TAGS: Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Highland Park, Lake County, Mundelein, North Chicago, outmigration, population, Round Lake Beach, Vernon Hills, Waukegan, Wheeling, Winthrop Harbor

Illinois lawmakers pass bill raising legal age of tobacco, e-cigarette purchases to 21

By Vincent Caruso

05/30/2018

Pending the governor’s signature, the bill would expand Chicago’s smoking age restriction statewide.

TAGS: Julie Morrison, regulations, smoking ban, tobacco, Tobacco 21

61 Vernon Hills village employees earn more than $100K

By Vincent Caruso

05/07/2018

More than half of the full-time village workforce takes home total compensation over $100,000 annually.

TAGS: Lake County, municipal government, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, salaries, Vernon Hills

Senate votes to ban tobacco products, e-cigarettes for Illinoisans under 21

By Vincent Caruso

05/04/2018

Pending the House’s vote and the governor’s signature, the bill would expand Chicago’s smoking age restriction statewide.

TAGS: cigarette tax, e-cigarettes, Julie Morrison, smoking ban, tobacco, Tobacco 21

Mundelein spends more than $300K on welcome signs

By Vincent Caruso

04/30/2018

The Lake County village will tap into its savings account to help cover the costs.

TAGS: Mundelein, municipal pensions, property taxes, waste

Former Vernon Hills village manager to receive $161K severance package

By Vincent Caruso

04/20/2018

While details surrounding the ex-official’s separation with the village remain undisclosed to the public, trustees’ approval of his $161,000 severance package went unobstructed.

TAGS: local government, municipal pensions, pensions, salaries

Round Lake Park’s police pension crisis could result in state intervention

By Brendan Bakala

04/20/2018

Under Illinois law, towns that miss required pension contributions risk state intervention. In 2016, Round Lake Park paid less than 40 percent of its required pension contribution.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes

Report: Average collar county property tax bill reaches as high as $8,890

04/16/2018

Homeowners in Chicago’s collar counties faced some of the highest average property tax bills in the state in 2017.

TAGS: DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County, property taxes, taxes, Will County

Lake County

Pensions make Illinois property taxes among nation’s most painful

Puzzled by property taxes: Improving transparency and fairness in Illinois’ assessment system

Most of Lake County’s largest communities are shrinking

Illinois lawmakers pass bill raising legal age of tobacco, e-cigarette purchases to 21

61 Vernon Hills village employees earn more than $100K

Senate votes to ban tobacco products, e-cigarettes for Illinoisans under 21

Mundelein spends more than $300K on welcome signs

Former Vernon Hills village manager to receive $161K severance package

Round Lake Park’s police pension crisis could result in state intervention

Report: Average collar county property tax bill reaches as high as $8,890

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