Illinois cellphone taxes are highest in nation, average $374 a year

By Brad Weisenstein

11/18/2019

Taxes alone hike the average Illinois cellphone bill by 31%.

TAGS: 911 fee, 911 tax, cell phone tax, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chicago, Connecticut, constitutional amendment, emergency fee, excise tax, exit tax, Illinois, Illinois Constitution, JB Pritzker, Lori Lightfoot, middle class, municipal pensions, pensions, progressive income tax, Rahm Emanuel, sales tax, taxes, wireless tax

FBI wiretapped cellphone of close Madigan confidant

By Austin Berg

11/13/2019

The FBI wiretap of Mike McClain's phone is an indication authorities could be looking into criminal activity between House Speaker Mike Madigan and utility giant ComEd.

TAGS: ComEd, corruption, Martin Sandoval, Michael McClain, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

2019-2020 Illinois corruption tracker

By Austin Berg

11/11/2019

Government corruption is nothing new for Illinoisans. Illinois is the second-most corrupt state in the nation, according to research by the University of Illinois-Chicago. And corruption costs the state economy more than $550 million per year. What is new? Powerful Illinois lawmakers, Chicago aldermen, local mayors and business interests are involved in what appears to be...

Lightfoot asks Springfield for progressive ‘exit tax’ on Chicago property sales

By Brad Weisenstein

11/10/2019

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants state lawmakers to let her impose progressively higher real estate transfer tax rates to close a $838 million budget deficit. She faces a limited time window and resistance from state lawmakers.

TAGS: Lori Lightfoot, outmigration, property taxes, taxes, transaction tax

Chicago teachers no longer can save 40 sick days for retirement: now it’s 244

By Vincent Caruso

11/04/2019

Pension benefits consume 25% of Chicago Public Schools’ budget. The new Chicago Teachers Union contract increases bankable sick days six-fold, increasing pension costs and taking more from classrooms.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions

Chicago teachers recover pension contributions 5 months into retirement

By Adam Schuster

10/29/2019

After retiring at age 55, the average Chicago teacher just takes five months to get back everything they contributed toward their pension during their career.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions

Madigan and ComEd are at the center of federal heat

By Austin Berg

10/24/2019

Illinoisans shouldn’t have to wait for federal raids to curb corruption at the capitol.

TAGS: City Club of Chicago, ComEd, corruption, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mike Madigan

Federal agents looking for Madigan documents in ComEd probe

By Austin Berg

10/24/2019

As previously undisclosed subpoena adds another angle to federal agents’ activity surrounding the longtime House speaker and chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

TAGS: City Club of Chicago, ComEd, corruption, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jay Doherty, JB Pritzker, Kevin Quinn, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

Chicago teachers who don’t want to be on strike have options

By Mailee Smith

10/23/2019

The Chicago Teachers Union walked out on strike Oct. 17, but teachers who are not members of the union have more freedom to decide whether to return to their students.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, strike

Lori Lightfoot

Illinois cellphone taxes are highest in nation, average $374 a year

FBI wiretapped cellphone of close Madigan confidant

2019-2020 Illinois corruption tracker

Lightfoot asks Springfield for progressive ‘exit tax’ on Chicago property sales

Chicago teachers no longer can save 40 sick days for retirement: now it’s 244

Chicago teachers recover pension contributions 5 months into retirement

Chicago suburbs raided by FBI have ties to Madigan’s son

Madigan and ComEd are at the center of federal heat

Federal agents looking for Madigan documents in ComEd probe

Chicago teachers who don’t want to be on strike have options

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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