Illinois cities take on more debt to cope with pensions

04/14/2022

Pension deficits are causing communities to consider more borrowing – and gambling with the proceeds – as pensions continue to consume bigger shares of budgets.

TAGS: Illinois, local government, pension obligation bonds

Your Story: COVID 19’s 2nd anniversary proves Illinoisans remain resilient

03/08/2022

During the past two years, about 80 Illinoisans shared how the COVID-19 pandemic was changing their lives, children’s educations and businesses. Here is how some of them have come through the pandemic, both those who thrived and those who lost.

Skokie is latest Illinois community paying pensions by borrowing

By Patrick Andriesen

01/20/2022

The village of Skokie issued $176 million in new bonds to fund shortfalls in public safety pensions. The village joins a growing list of municipalities forced to borrow to meet “unsustainable” pension obligations.

TAGS: bonds, debt, pensions, Skokie

Feds investigate property tax bribery scheme in Cook County

By Patrick Andriesen

07/19/2021

A Board of Review employee claims corruption is rampant in his Cook County office after an FBI affidavit states he was charging $2,000 to lower assessment on commercial properties and $1,000 for homes.

TAGS: bribery, Cook County, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation

Illinois has worst youth employment in Midwest, biggest drop amid COVID-19 pandemic

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill

07/09/2020

With small businesses and seasonal attractions closed, most of Illinois’ youth find themselves spending a summer without a job. COVID-19 isn’t the only reason, however.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, recession, unemployment

Illinois ranks second-last when it comes to reopening bars and restaurants

06/25/2020

A study from WalletHub ranks Illinois 50th-most severe on COVID-19 restrictions on bars and restaurants. 233,500 jobs were lost in that sector since February.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, reopen, stay at home order

2019-2020 Illinois corruption tracker

By Austin Berg

11/11/2019

Government corruption is nothing new for Illinoisans. Illinois is the second-most corrupt state in the nation, according to research by the University of Illinois-Chicago. And corruption costs the state economy more than $550 million per year. What is new? Powerful Illinois lawmakers, Chicago aldermen, local mayors and business interests are involved in what appears to be...

Illinois red-light cameras have collected more than $1B from drivers since 2008

By Austin Berg

10/14/2019

Red-light cameras are taking more and more money from Illinois motorists. But dubious safety benefits, a cloud of corruption and a bipartisan bill in Springfield may combine to take them off the streets.

53 representatives sign on to letter opposing progressive tax

By Chris Lentino

09/06/2018

Taxpayers across Illinois oppose a progressive tax but many state lawmakers still refuse to stand up against House Speaker Mike Madigan’s progressive tax push.

TAGS: graduated income tax, income tax, Mike Madigan, progressive income tax, taxes

Springfield dine-in tax would be latest fee for Illinois restaurants

01/26/2018

A potential 2 percent dine-in tax imposed on Springfield restaurants has yet to be introduced, but the idea - which other towns have tried - is not a welcome one.

TAGS: sales tax, Springfield, taxes

Skokie

Illinois cities take on more debt to cope with pensions

Your Story: COVID 19’s 2nd anniversary proves Illinoisans remain resilient

Skokie is latest Illinois community paying pensions by borrowing

Feds investigate property tax bribery scheme in Cook County

Illinois has worst youth employment in Midwest, biggest drop amid COVID-19 pandemic

Illinois ranks second-last when it comes to reopening bars and restaurants

2019-2020 Illinois corruption tracker

Illinois red-light cameras have collected more than $1B from drivers since 2008

53 representatives sign on to letter opposing progressive tax

Springfield dine-in tax would be latest fee for Illinois restaurants

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