May Corruption Watch

06/03/2016

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

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

Labor board finds CTU’s April 1 strike likely illegal

By Jeffrey Schwab

04/27/2016

The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board determined there is enough evidence of the illegality of CTU’s April 1 walkout for CPS to pursue a court order to prevent CTU from waging any similar strikes.

TAGS: Chicago, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education

Rahm plans to borrow $1.2 billion to construct Lucas museum

04/19/2016

The mayor’s plan to construct the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art includes more of the same bad policies that got Chicago into its fiscal crisis: a bid to borrow $1.2 billion and hike taxes on residents.

TAGS: Chicago

Chicago’s new TIF district would siphon millions of property-tax dollars into city slush fund

By Chris Lentino

04/01/2016

Creating a tax increment financing district around the Lathrop Homes redevelopment will ensure that 100 percent of property-tax revenue generated on the site will go to a city-run slush fund.

TAGS: TIF: Tax Increment Financing

CPS files charges against CTU for ‘illegal’ strike

By Jeffrey Schwab

04/01/2016

The union’s one-day strike is an illegal, aggressive political power play, and its attempt to coerce its members to participate violates its own constitution. Here’s a breakdown of the timeline, the law and the political statement the union is making.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, Karen Lewis

Chicago passes smokeless-tobacco ban for city ballparks

03/30/2016

Chicago recently became the fourth city to ban smokeless tobacco at ballparks, and is home to the nation’s highest tobacco tax.

TAGS: Chicago, regulations

Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling

By Chris Lentino

03/25/2016

In an effort to shore up pension debt, Chicago officials in 2014 adopted a pension-reform package that included raising the telephone tax. Though the Illinois Supreme Court struck down these changes, the tax hike remains.

TAGS: taxes

Rahm Emanuel

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

Labor board finds CTU’s April 1 strike likely illegal

Rahm plans to borrow $1.2 billion to construct Lucas museum

Chicago’s new TIF district would siphon millions of property-tax dollars into city slush fund

CPS files charges against CTU for ‘illegal’ strike

Chicago passes smokeless-tobacco ban for city ballparks

Chicago telephone-tax hike should be eliminated in wake of pension ruling

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