Illinois Attorney General asks for federal probe of Chicago Police Department

By Mark Fitton

12/02/2015

Madigan’s letter to the Justice Department came on the same day Chicago’s police superintendent, Garry McCarthy, resigned at the request of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

TAGS: Chicago, CPD: Chicago Police Department, Lisa Madigan, Rahm Emanuel

Dear Illinois Supreme Court: 8 things to know about Chicago’s pension-reform law

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/19/2015

Regardless of the outcome of the case, the burden Chicagoans face from the government-worker pension crisis won’t be going away any time soon.

TAGS: Chicago, municipal pensions, pensions

8 things to know about Chicago’s pension-reform law

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/15/2015

A Cook County judge is scheduled to rule on the constitutionality of Chicago's pension-reform law on July 24. No matter what the outcome is, the pension overhaul will eventually end up in the Illinois Supreme Court. But the ruling may give a clue as to whether or not the city’s reforms will ultimately be upheld.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, Municipal Employees' Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago

Moody’s: Chicago taxpayers on the hook for growing pension contributions

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

11/12/2015

Chicago’s contributions to its government-worker pension funds will jump to $1 billion in 2016 from $500 million in 2015, according to a new report by Moody’s Investors Service.

TAGS: Chicago, pensions

Illinois Corruption Watch: October 2015

11/04/2015

October saw a former Chicago Public Schools CEO plead guilty to wire fraud and several other instances of criminal charges and civil lawsuits against public officials, as well as crony deals between businesses and government.

TAGS: corruption

Chicago passes largest property-tax hike in modern city history

By Austin Berg

10/28/2015

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and city aldermen choose tax hikes over necessary reform.

TAGS: Chicago

Chicago aldermen move to shackle rideshare drivers with licensing scheme

By Austin Berg

10/23/2015

As companies such as Uber fight to bring driving jobs to underserved neighborhoods, City Council wants to require expensive licensing in exchange for access to customers at airports.

TAGS: rideshare

Warning signal: High-end home sales slow to a crawl in Chicago suburbs

10/16/2015

“Not totally dead” yet In the Chicago suburbs of Burr Ridge, Naperville and Hinsdale this summer, sales of high-end real estate hit a huge slump, which continues. For example, Crain’s Chicago Business reports the city of Burr Ridge has 100 homes on the market priced at $1 million or higher, but only 14 have sold...

TAGS: home price index, property taxes

Meet the politicians getting rich off Chicago’s property-tax scheme

By Austin Berg

10/16/2015

Flawed property valuations and the process required to fix them are a cash cow for law firms, including those of House Speaker Mike Madigan, Chicago Alderman Ed Burke and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, cronyism, Ed Burke, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan, property taxes

Cook County plans to hike taxes on bowling, golf and cable TV

By Austin Berg

10/15/2015

“Pay to play” might take on a whole new meaning in Chicago.

TAGS: amusement tax, Cook County, sales tax

Rahm Emanuel

Illinois Attorney General asks for federal probe of Chicago Police Department

Dear Illinois Supreme Court: 8 things to know about Chicago’s pension-reform law

8 things to know about Chicago’s pension-reform law

Moody’s: Chicago taxpayers on the hook for growing pension contributions

Illinois Corruption Watch: October 2015

Chicago passes largest property-tax hike in modern city history

Chicago aldermen move to shackle rideshare drivers with licensing scheme

Warning signal: High-end home sales slow to a crawl in Chicago suburbs

Meet the politicians getting rich off Chicago’s property-tax scheme

Cook County plans to hike taxes on bowling, golf and cable TV

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