Illinois property taxes at $5K are higher than 5 states combined

By Patrick Andriesen

08/01/2024

Illinoisans paid the second-highest property tax rate in the U.S. in 2022, with the median Illinois homeowner spending more than taxpayers in Alabama, West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana and South Carolina combined. See how your county compares.

TAGS: property taxes, taxes

Average Illinois property tax bill rises $756 in 5 years

By Patrick Andriesen

08/01/2024

Homeowners in half of Illinois’ 102 counties saw their property taxes grow faster than inflation from 2018 to 2022. The median bill rose $756 in that time.

TAGS: housing, taxes

Editorial: Illinois’ very slow COVID-19 recovery painted as a win by state leaders

By Hilary Gowins

05/20/2024

State leaders issued a report touting Illinois’ abandonment of representational government in favor of executive fiat during the pandemic as effective. They failed to take responsibility for job recovery lagging the nation by a year and seeing public schools suffer.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker

Illinois population drop, departures among worst in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

12/29/2023

Illinois lost 83,839 residents who moved to other states, one of the highest rates in the U.S. and driving a 10th consecutive year of population decline. It ranks near the bottom on multiple other population measures, too.

Testimony begins in former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke corruption trial

By Patrick Andriesen

11/20/2023

After serving more than half a century as a “fixture” on the Chicago City Council, former Ald. Edward Burke now faces 14 counts of federal corruption charges for allegedly abusing his finance chair position and aldermanic powers for personal gain.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Ed Burke

Report: Chicago area most corrupt in America

By Dylan Sharkey

11/07/2023

Chicago is the most corrupt metropolitan area in America for the fourth consecutive year and Illinois is the second-most corrupt state, according to a new report from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Corruption can cost Illinois taxpayers up to $550 million per year.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption

Illinois’ COVID disaster ends after 1,155 days

By Dylan Sharkey

05/09/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s 42nd and final disaster proclamation has expired after 1,155 days in a state of emergency. Illinois was 1 of only 6 states still under emergency orders because of the pandemic.

TAGS: Commonwealth Edison, corruption

3 years after COVID-19 hit, Pritzker declares 40th emergency order

By Dylan Sharkey

03/08/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared COVID-19 a disaster in Illinois for the 40th time. Illinois is 1 of only 6 states still using COVID-19 to declare a public health emergency.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Pritzker issues 39th emergency order as 43 states end covid policies

By Dylan Sharkey

02/08/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker intends to extend his COVID-19 emergency powers until May 11. Illinois is 1 of only 7 states still claiming disaster status as a result of COVID-19.

TAGS: emergency powers, JB Pritzker

Pritzker to end Illinois’ emergency orders after more than 3 years

By Dylan Sharkey

01/31/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced he will follow President Biden and end Illinois’ disaster declarations on May 11. Most states long ago quit using emergency powers, leaving Illinois as 1 of 7 states still claiming COVID-19 is a public health emergency.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker

Louisiana

Illinois property taxes at $5K are higher than 5 states combined

Average Illinois property tax bill rises $756 in 5 years

Editorial: Illinois’ very slow COVID-19 recovery painted as a win by state leaders

Illinois population drop, departures among worst in U.S.

Testimony begins in former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke corruption trial

Report: Chicago area most corrupt in America

Illinois’ COVID disaster ends after 1,155 days

3 years after COVID-19 hit, Pritzker declares 40th emergency order

Pritzker issues 39th emergency order as 43 states end covid policies

Pritzker to end Illinois’ emergency orders after more than 3 years

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