Nearly $50K property tax bills robs ‘Home Alone’ house

By Patrick Andriesen

12/13/2024

The current owners of Kevin McCallister’s house from the “Home Alone” movie will pay nearly $50,000 in property taxes this year. Illinoisans pay more than twice as much as the typical American in property taxes.

TAGS: property taxes

Suburban Chicago mayor calls for pension reform

By Dylan Sharkey

11/27/2024

Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson said state lawmakers need to step in and help fix public pensions. Pension debt is the biggest driver of Illinois’ property taxes, which are the second-highest in the nation.

TAGS: pension reform

Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

By Joe Tabor

09/26/2024

Published Sept. 26, 2024 Illinois is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis. Over a third of residents are considered “burdened” by housing costs, meaning they pay over 30% of their income on costs related to housing. That is a greater portion of residents burdened by housing than any other state in the Midwest....

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families  

By Josh Bandoch, Joe Tabor

07/09/2024

Published July 9, 2024 America is facing a housing affordability crisis. According to a 2022 survey, 73% of Americans said the average person could not afford a home in their area, and 69% were worried about their children and grandchildren being able to afford a home. That’s unfair. Everyone deserves a good roof over their...

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

By John Tillman

07/04/2024

Fourth of July? No. We should always call it Independence Day to remember what we celebrate and what it means.

TAGS: freedom, Illinois, Independence Day

IRS: Illinois loses $9.9B in income as 87,311 residents move out in 2022

By Bryce Hill

07/01/2024

New data shows $9.9 billion flowed from Illinois to other states because people moved out in 2022. Most of those leaving earned $100,000 or more.

TAGS: population

Illinois’ Black unemployment rate No. 2 in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

05/22/2024

Black workers in Illinois face a tougher job market than peers nationally. Hispanic men, Asians face lower unemployment rates relative to peers in other states.

TAGS: unemployment

March Madness pushed Illinois sports wagers to $335M last year

By Dylan Sharkey

03/27/2024

Illinoisans are expected to again bet big on college sports during March, driven by March Madness. Sports wagers put $1B into Illinois government accounts last year, ranking it No. 3 in the U.S.

TAGS: March Madness

Paul Vallas: Illinois’ real ‘State of the State’

By Paul Vallas

02/23/2024

Illinois is on an upward path, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said during his State of the State speech. True, by some measures. Not so much by too many measures that matter.

2024 State of the State: Federal rescue is over, so Illinois needs caution

By Bryce Hill

02/20/2024

The pandemic had an upside for Illinois state finances – infusing federal dollars as state revenues exceeded projections. Now federal aid is gone. Illinoisans’ ongoing struggles warrant caution, reform in the state’s fiscal year 2025 budget.

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Nearly $50K property tax bills robs ‘Home Alone’ house

Suburban Chicago mayor calls for pension reform

Building not permitted: Building permits in Illinois are a barrier to housing affordability

Regulatory reform can make housing more affordable for Illinois families

Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters

IRS: Illinois loses $9.9B in income as 87,311 residents move out in 2022

Illinois’ Black unemployment rate No. 2 in U.S.

March Madness pushed Illinois sports wagers to $335M last year

Paul Vallas: Illinois’ real ‘State of the State’

2024 State of the State: Federal rescue is over, so Illinois needs caution

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

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Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students