Lawmakers punt on housing supply as prices up 48% since 2019

By LyLena Estabine

06/04/2026

The state’s home prices have jumped 48% while housing for sale has plummeted.

Illinois housing stock remains woefully low, prices climbing

By LyLena Estabine

09/23/2025

Policies that make building expensive have continued to choke Illinois’ housing supply, pushing more families away with high prices. Nearly $90K has been added to the average house price since 2018.

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

By Joe Tabor

02/10/2025

Published Feb. 10, 2025 Even though federal COVID relief funds provided an unexpected windfall, that one-time jolt of cash could leave many Illinois localities even worse off than they were before. That boost in revenue allowed local governments to put off difficult budgeting decisions, and as that revenue dries up, municipalities will have to contend...

Pensions in Quincy cost 126% of municipal property taxes

By Adam Schuster, Justin Carlson

09/24/2021

Quincy property taxes do not generate enough to fund the municipal pension costs. Even with that heavy burden, there is so much state and local pension debt that the average Quincy household owns more than $35,600.

TAGS: pensions, property taxes, Quincy

Over 90% of Rock Island municipal property taxes taken by public pensions

By Adam Schuster, Robert Brutvan, Perry Zhao

09/22/2021

Despite so much of the property tax share going to public pensions, there is still a huge unmet pension debt. The average Rock Island household owes nearly $40,000 to state and local pensions.

TAGS: pensions, property taxes, Rock Island

Over 100% of Danville municipal property taxes consumed by pensions

By Adam Schuster, Perry Zhao

09/20/2021

The average Danville household owns nearly $40,000 in state and local pension debt.

TAGS: Danville, pensions, property taxes

Rockford sees public pensions eat nearly 40% of municipal property taxes

By Adam Schuster

09/16/2021

Public pensions are growing and taking a greater share of property taxes, hurting public services. Still, the average Rockford household owes over $35,000 in state and local pension debt.

TAGS: pensions, property taxes, Rockford

Nearly two-thirds of Peoria property taxes consumed by pensions

By Adam Schuster

09/15/2021

The average Peoria household owns nearly $38,000 in state and local pension debt.

TAGS: pensions, Peoria, property taxes

Pension crisis forces firehouse closure, 9 firefighter layoffs in East St. Louis

By Brad Weisenstein

10/16/2019

East St. Louis is short $9.5 million between a budget deficit and back payments owed to its fire and police pensions. As a result, city leaders are closing a firehouse and laying off nine firefighters.

TAGS: East St. Louis, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

East St. Louis police pension fund calls for state intercept of $1.8M, following fire pension demands

By Brad Weisenstein

10/04/2019

East St. Louis already faces a $2.2 million state funding diversion for its firefighters pension fund. Now the police pension board is demanding $1.79 million the city owes that fund.

TAGS: East St. Louis, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, taxes

North Chicago

Lawmakers punt on housing supply as prices up 48% since 2019

Illinois housing stock remains woefully low, prices climbing

A way out: Bankruptcy authorization would give struggling Illinois municipalities options

Pensions in Quincy cost 126% of municipal property taxes

Over 90% of Rock Island municipal property taxes taken by public pensions

Over 100% of Danville municipal property taxes consumed by pensions

Rockford sees public pensions eat nearly 40% of municipal property taxes

Nearly two-thirds of Peoria property taxes consumed by pensions

Pension crisis forces firehouse closure, 9 firefighter layoffs in East St. Louis

East St. Louis police pension fund calls for state intercept of $1.8M, following fire pension demands

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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