Chicago property taxes jump — but unevenly

By LyLena Estabine

03/05/2026

Some communities saw their bills rise 75% or more.

Vallas: Record-high property tax increase is Preckwinkle’s reelection baggage

By Paul Vallas

01/27/2026

Record Cook County property tax hikes under Toni Preckwinkle expose a fundamentally broken system, benefitting insiders and costing everyone else.

TAGS: Toni Preckwinkle

Massive property tax hikes hurt Chicago’s low-income families

By LyLena Estabine

10/16/2025

Chicago homeowners on the South and West Sides are bracing for huge property tax hikes, driven by surging assessments and government spending tied to pensions.

TAGS: property taxes

Chicago homicides lowest in decade, but so is arrest rate

By Patrick Andriesen

08/04/2025

Chicago homicides were at a decade low for the 12 months through June, but also down was the arrest rate from 42% to 27%.

Democratic delegates need not go far to see why Chicago is U.S. murder capital

By Patrick Andriesen

08/20/2024

Chicago for the 12th year is America’s murder capital. The deadliest areas are not far from the Democratic National Convention, with at least one a moderate walk from the United Center and others that can be visited on a city-sponsored tour.

TAGS: DNC: Democratic National Convention

Vallas: Chicago needs better protection for witnesses

By Paul Vallas

11/14/2023

Mass shootings are rampant in Chicago. Arrests for those shootings are almost nonexistent. Witness protection is the key to changing that.

Could this court be the future of criminal justice in Illinois?

By Austin Berg

08/04/2017

The Illinois Department of Corrections pays nearly $22,000 in direct costs per inmate.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, restorative justice

Illinois’ first restorative justice court will save money, improve outcomes

By Joe Tabor

07/31/2017

Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood will host a program that brings defendants in contact with their victims and allow the victims to set the compensation for the crime.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, restorative justice

Uber, Lyft threaten to leave Chicago

By Austin Berg

06/18/2016

Chicago City Council is one vote away from enacting punishing rules that could force the popular platforms out of the Windy City.

TAGS: Chicago, collaborative economy, Lyft, regulations, rideshare, Uber

Corruption Watch: April 2015

By Shawn Tonge

05/08/2015

April saw two major players in Illinois education ensnared in charges of cronyism, among more than 60 other corruption-related stories.

TAGS: good government

North Lawndale

Chicago property taxes jump — but unevenly

Vallas: Record-high property tax increase is Preckwinkle’s reelection baggage

Massive property tax hikes hurt Chicago’s low-income families

Chicago homicides lowest in decade, but so is arrest rate

Democratic delegates need not go far to see why Chicago is U.S. murder capital

Vallas: Chicago needs better protection for witnesses

Could this court be the future of criminal justice in Illinois?

Illinois’ first restorative justice court will save money, improve outcomes

Uber, Lyft threaten to leave Chicago

Corruption Watch: April 2015

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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