Sales tax increase to pay for CTA, Metra, Pace problems

By Lilly Rossi

07/29/2026

A sales tax increase for the Regional Transportation Authority, soon to replaced by the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, takes effect Aug. 1.

Toll and sales tax hikes: What Pritzker said vs. what Pritzker did

By Rich Witzel

07/16/2026

The governor said Illinoisans wouldn’t be interested in a toll increase to keep the Bears. Then he signaled support for what would be the largest passenger toll hike in state history.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

New data: Illinois homeowners pay country’s highest property taxes

By LyLena Estabine

05/27/2026

The state again had the highest residential property tax rate in the U.S. in 2024, tied with New Jersey.

TAGS: property taxes

More than half of Illinois counties suffer outmigration

By Bryce Hill

03/26/2026

Residents are leaving every corner of Illinois for other states despite surging international migration propping up the total population.

Manufacturing layoffs drive Illinois job cuts in February

By Josh Bandoch

03/17/2026

Virtually all of over 1,900 health care workers will get the opportunity to join a new employer.

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 gas taxes rising in July, but state leaders still want more

By Dylan Sharkey

04/24/2025

Illinois motorists should expect another motor fuel tax increase this summer when the gas tax jumps again. Illinoisans already pay the second-highest gas taxes in the country, but state leaders are worried about not having enough to spend.

TAGS: gas tax

SAFE-T Act Year 1: Fewer Cook County defendants detained, downstate Illinois adjusts

By Joe Tabor, Patrick Andriesen

09/17/2024

Sept. 18 marks Illinois’ first anniversary of being the first state to end cash bail. The predicted disaster was averted. Cook County saw significant improvements. Still, changes to the SAFE-T Act could improve public safety, remain fair to defendants.

TAGS: SAFE-T Act

Rural areas lose to cities amid Illinois’ historic population loss

By Bryce Hill

08/13/2021

Chicago and other urban areas in Illinois gained people compared to the rural areas, with 87 of 102 counties losing people in the 2020 U.S. Census.

TAGS: Chicago, Illinois, population, U.S. Census Bureau

Civic Federation finds nearly 9,000 tax-guzzling government units in Illinois

By Justin Carlson

04/19/2021

A recent comprehensive analysis found the real number of government units in Illinois is 30% higher than the U.S. Census Bureau’s count. Too many government units mean too many taxes.

TAGS: Citizens Empowerment Act, Illinois, local government consolidation, school district efficiency

McHenry

Sales tax increase to pay for CTA, Metra, Pace problems

Toll and sales tax hikes: What Pritzker said vs. what Pritzker did

New data: Illinois homeowners pay country’s highest property taxes

More than half of Illinois counties suffer outmigration

Manufacturing layoffs drive Illinois job cuts in February

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

Illinois gas taxes rising in July, but state leaders still want more

SAFE-T Act Year 1: Fewer Cook County defendants detained, downstate Illinois adjusts

Rural areas lose to cities amid Illinois’ historic population loss

Civic Federation finds nearly 9,000 tax-guzzling government units in Illinois

Solutions for vacant lots would reduce crime and poverty in Chicago

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