Gov. Bruce Rauner signs stopgap budget

By Hilary Gowins

06/30/2016

The stopgap budget compromise reached between the General Assembly and Gov. Bruce Rauner will fund government operations for the next six months and ensure that schools open on time in the fall.

5 reasons why Illinois politicians should reject a Chicago Public Schools bailout

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

06/28/2016

Until CPS passes necessary spending and pension reforms, giving any additional money to the system will only reward officials’ mismanagement and reckless behavior.

TAGS: budget, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, Mike Madigan, municipal pensions, pensions, Rahm Emanuel

Chicago’s new Airbnb ordinance greets visitors to the city with a 21 percent tax bill

By Chris Lentino

06/22/2016

The city’s new ordinance will punish visitors to the city with a 21 percent hotel tax bill.

TAGS: Airbnb, regulations

Uber and Airbnb ordinances show Chicago ushering in new era of hyperregulation

By Chris Lentino

06/21/2016

In the face of fleeing residents, the Chicago City Council has chosen to add more and more layers of regulation instead of reforming.

TAGS: Airbnb, Chicago, collaborative economy, Lyft, Rahm Emanuel, regulations, Uber

Property taxes up 13 percent on average Chicago home

By Austin Berg

06/14/2016

The average single-family home in Chicago will see a $400 increase in property taxes. And property-tax revenues for the city of Chicago will top $1 billion for the first time in city history.

TAGS: Chicago, property rights, Rahm Emanuel

Chicago TIF districts benefit politically connected at taxpayers’ expense

By Chris Lentino

06/14/2016

City officials are moving to develop the largest remaining plot of vacant land to ensure huge windfalls for a city-run slush fund.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

May Corruption Watch

06/03/2016

May’s corruption headlines show the steep cost nontransparent government can have on taxpayers.

TAGS: corruption, good government

Rahm’s police and fire pension “fix” becomes law

By John Klingner

05/31/2016

On May 30, the General Assembly voted to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to delay payments to Chicago’s police and fire pension funds – at a cost to Chicago taxpayers of an additional $18.6 billion over the next 40 years.

TAGS: Chicago, municipal pensions, pensions, Rahm Emanuel

Illinois politicians reintroduce penny-per-ounce ‘sugary drink’ tax

05/23/2016

State lawmakers propose regressive tax on sugary drinks to help fill budget holes created by decades of irresponsible policies.

TAGS: sugar tax, taxes

Rahm’s power move on Airbnb ordinance shows who’s the boss in City Hall

By Chris Lentino

05/20/2016

Despite calls for more time, the mayor flexed his muscle to increase taxes on short-term Airbnb rentals to over 21 percent.

TAGS: Airbnb, Chicago, collaborative economy, Rahm Emanuel, regulations, sharing economy

Rahm Emanuel

Gov. Bruce Rauner signs stopgap budget

5 reasons why Illinois politicians should reject a Chicago Public Schools bailout

Chicago’s new Airbnb ordinance greets visitors to the city with a 21 percent tax bill

Uber and Airbnb ordinances show Chicago ushering in new era of hyperregulation

Property taxes up 13 percent on average Chicago home

Chicago TIF districts benefit politically connected at taxpayers’ expense

May Corruption Watch

Rahm’s police and fire pension “fix” becomes law

Illinois politicians reintroduce penny-per-ounce ‘sugary drink’ tax

Rahm’s power move on Airbnb ordinance shows who’s the boss in City Hall

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