Illinois teachers saw union dues flow to Chicago groups, politics and Madigan

By Mailee Smith

02/05/2018

Government worker unions can use their members' dues in any number of ways. The most recent federal filings of one of Illinois' largest teachers unions reveal millions of dollars directed disproportionately to Chicago and to political causes with which their members may disagree.

TAGS: AFT: American Federation of Teachers, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

Controversial assessments have history of appeals by Burke and Madigan

By Brendan Bakala

01/24/2018

An order currently under consideration by Chicago City Council challenges the assessments of seven properties, four of which have been the subject of property tax appeals by the law firms of Chicago Alderman Ed Burke or Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.

TAGS: Ed Burke, Joseph Berrios, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan, property taxes

Land of lagging: Illinois’ sluggish economy and lawmakers’ tax hike treachery

By Orphe Divounguy

01/24/2018

Illinois will not diverge from its path of poor growth until lawmakers realize the failures of recent tax hikes.

TAGS: GDP: gross domestic product, income tax, investment, taxes

Illinoisans saw jobs growth plummet after 2017 tax hike

By Orphe Divounguy, Austin Berg, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

01/22/2018

Illinois' jobs growth trailed that of the nation during the first half of 2017, then slowed to a halt in the wake of the General Assembly's record-breaking tax hike.

TAGS: income tax, jobs, property taxes, taxes, unemployment

Chicago aldermen move to challenge lowball assessments on some of Chicago’s priciest properties

By Brendan Bakala

01/19/2018

Alderman Ricardo Munoz's proposal highlights seven expensive properties in or around the Loop that aldermen contend were underassessed, shifting the property tax burden to other property owners.

TAGS: Chicago, Joseph Berrios, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan, property taxes

Hold on to your wallets, Springfield back in session for 2018

By Austin Berg

01/18/2018

With statewide elections in November, the 2018 forecast calls for gridlock.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, income tax, Mike Madigan, outmigration, progressive income tax

Rauner announces plan to ban lawmakers from working as property tax lawyers

By Austin Berg

01/18/2018

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and state Rep. Robert Martwick are all involved in the clout-heavy cottage industry of property tax appeals.

TAGS: Ed Burke, Joseph Berrios, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan, property taxes, Robert Martwick

Berrios fined $41K for donations from property tax appeals lawyers

By Brendan Bakala

01/18/2018

The Cook County assessor may have to pay $41,000 in fines for accepting donations in excess of the limit allowed by Cook County campaign finance rules.

TAGS: Cook County, Joseph Berrios, property taxes

Cook County state’s attorney approved $2M property tax settlement for Alderman Ed Burke’s client

By Amy Korte

01/16/2018

The office of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx signed off on a $2 million property tax settlement with the property tax firm headed by Foxx campaign donor Alderman Ed Burke.

TAGS: Cook County, Ed Burke, Joseph Berrios, property taxes

Christmas wish list: 12 gifts for Illinois taxpayers in 2018

By Vincent Caruso

12/22/2017

After a punishing 2017, Illinoisans are in dire need of reform from Springfield.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, gerrymandering, higher education, income tax, Mike Madigan, pensions, property taxes, term limits, TIF: Tax Increment Financing, unions

Michael Madigan

Illinois teachers saw union dues flow to Chicago groups, politics and Madigan

Controversial assessments have history of appeals by Burke and Madigan

Land of lagging: Illinois’ sluggish economy and lawmakers’ tax hike treachery

Illinoisans saw jobs growth plummet after 2017 tax hike

Chicago aldermen move to challenge lowball assessments on some of Chicago’s priciest properties

Hold on to your wallets, Springfield back in session for 2018

Rauner announces plan to ban lawmakers from working as property tax lawyers

Berrios fined $41K for donations from property tax appeals lawyers

Cook County state’s attorney approved $2M property tax settlement for Alderman Ed Burke’s client

Christmas wish list: 12 gifts for Illinois taxpayers in 2018

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