Chicago has 2nd-highest commercial property taxes in U.S.

By Justin Carlson

07/07/2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and progressive allies said the city can find fiscal flexibility by taxing big business. The city is already home to the second-highest commercial property taxes in the nation.

TAGS: corporate income tax

Vallas: Chicago teens are dying, committing more crimes: work-study can fix that

By Paul Vallas

06/29/2023

Much attention is rightly being paid to how city policy can address the need to provide young people with meaningful opportunities for work. The stakes couldn’t be higher.

Illinois lawmakers get $4,250 raise just months after $12,000 raise

By Justin Carlson

06/29/2023

Illinois state lawmakers had tried to bump their pay by 5.5%, but that violated the state constitution. The must settle for 5%, meaning they will make nearly $90,000 a year.

Chicago households making $100K targeted by Brandon Johnson allies

By Bryce Hill, Justin Carlson

06/06/2023

An ominously titled document by close confidants of new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson states the new administration’s top priority is to take more money from households making $100,000 or more to fund what they claim is a “just Chicago.”

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

85% of Illinois communities lose people in 2022; Chicago loses 33k

By Bryce Hill

05/17/2023

1,108 Illinois communities of all sizes shared in the record loss of more than 104,000 residents in 2022, according to new Census Bureau data. Chicago lost 32% of the state’s total.

Second big investment firm may leave Chicago for Miami

By Patrick Andriesen

05/04/2023

Industry sources report one of Chicago’s largest money management firms could soon move their Illinois headquarters to Florida. Guggenheim Partners would be the sixth large company and second investment firm to move out of Illinois in the past year.

Illinois politicians want extra $25M for Democratic National Convention security in Chicago

By Dylan Sharkey

05/03/2023

Illinois’ congressional Democrats asked for an additional $25 million to pay for security at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Host cities typically receive $50 million.

TAGS: DNC: Democratic National Convention

Cook County population decline, outmigration 2nd-worst in U.S.

By Bryce Hill

03/30/2023

94,344 residents moved out of Cook County, the sole reason for 2022 population decline.

TAGS: Cook County, population, U.S. Census Bureau

March Madness means millions in tax revenue for Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

03/14/2023

Illinoisans bet more than $275 million on March Madness in 2022, with the state netting more than $2 million in tax revenue. Revenue totals for sports betting in 2022 were the second highest in the nation behind New York.

TAGS: Illinois gambling, legal gambling, March Madness

Chicago crime spikes in 2022, but first drop in murder since pandemic

By Hannah Schmid

02/21/2023

Crime tops the list of concerns for Chicago voters in the mayoral election after 2022 brought the most crime in five years and after 2021 was the deadliest year in the past quarter-century.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

New York

Chicago has 2nd-highest commercial property taxes in U.S.

Vallas: Chicago teens are dying, committing more crimes: work-study can fix that

Illinois lawmakers get $4,250 raise just months after $12,000 raise

Chicago households making $100K targeted by Brandon Johnson allies

85% of Illinois communities lose people in 2022; Chicago loses 33k

Second big investment firm may leave Chicago for Miami

Illinois politicians want extra $25M for Democratic National Convention security in Chicago

Cook County population decline, outmigration 2nd-worst in U.S.

March Madness means millions in tax revenue for Illinois

Chicago crime spikes in 2022, but first drop in murder since pandemic

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