Number of Chicago city workers making $100K+ has doubled since 2013

By Austin Berg

08/05/2016

Nearly 5,000 Chicago city workers make six-figure salaries, driving up the payroll and pension costs overtaxed city residents must pay.

TAGS: budget, Chicago, local government, municipal government, salaries

July corruption watch

08/04/2016

Chicago leads the way in numerous corruption headlines yet again.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, good government

Chicago City Council aims to crowd ballot with needless referendums

By Chris Lentino

07/17/2016

City Council violates procedural rules and plays political games to put popular, but toothless, measures on the ballot and protect the mayor and bureaucrats from any real challenges to their power.

TAGS: ballot, ballot referendums, Chicago, Chicago City Council, Rahm Emanuel

Corruption Watch

07/05/2016

Headlines in June show why Chicago is considered one of the most corrupt cities in the world.

TAGS: corruption, good government, transparency

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

Rahm Emanuel

Number of Chicago city workers making $100K+ has doubled since 2013

July corruption watch

Chicago City Council aims to crowd ballot with needless referendums

Corruption Watch

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

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit 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