Pension costs push Metro East property taxes up, as population shrinks

06/17/2019

Residents in Illinois’ Metro East area are fleeing a growing property tax burden, fueling regional population loss.

TAGS: Madison County, Metro East, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, St. Clair County, taxes

Southwestern Illinois loses big chunk of population, with one exception

By Brad Weisenstein

04/25/2019

One Illinois county in the greater St. Louis area is losing so many residents it ranks No. 5 nationwide for population loss. Its neighboring county was one of the few in Illinois to grow.

TAGS: Madison County, Metro East, Monroe County, outmigration, population, St. Clair County

Wake-up call: Illinois shrinkage makes history

By Austin Berg

04/18/2019

The state’s punishing tax climate and ominous mountain of debt have repelled new jobs and investment. People follow.

TAGS: fair tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, outmigration, population, progressive income tax, property taxes, taxes

Pritzker ‘fair’ tax could cost typical St. Clair County family nearly $400

02/28/2019

Gov. J.B. Pritzker claims his progressive income tax will only affect the rich. But Illinoisans making as little as $26,100 would see an income tax hike under rates Pritzker cited in his budget address.

TAGS: income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, St. Clair County, taxes

Illinois House bill would close judicial elections loophole

02/14/2019

A legal tactic intended to make it easier for Illinois judges to stay on the bench is under fire. An Illinois House bill aims to close the loophole, which four southwestern Illinois judges used in bids to dilute voters’ power.

TAGS: Charlie Meier, John Baricevic, Lloyd Cueto, Robert Haida, Robert LeChien

More than 70 Belleville-area school retirees are pension millionaires

By Vincent Caruso

12/10/2018

Pension payouts collected by the Belleville area’s top-earning school retirees underscore the need to reform Illinois’ unaffordable pension system.

TAGS: Belleville, Belleville School District 118, Belleville Township School District 201, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, St. Clair County, taxes

Taxpayer tab totals $98M to keep southwestern Illinois airport open

By Brad Weisenstein

11/05/2018

Local leaders say more passengers will reduce the need for taxpayer money at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. But as traffic rises, so too has the tab for St. Clair County taxpayers.

TAGS: budget, MidAmerica Airport, St. Clair County, taxes

How to make an extra $3 billion, the Illinois way

By Austin Berg

10/25/2018

AFSCME – the largest government worker union in the state – may pull off one of the most insulting waiting games in state history. The payoff? More than $3 billion, courtesy of Illinois taxpayers.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, collective bargaining, income tax, state worker pay, taxes

St. Clair County approves 5 percent property tax levy hike

By Vincent Caruso

09/25/2018

The county board approved a $3.5 million property tax levy increase for 2019.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, St. Clair County, taxes

St. Clair County property taxes nearly doubled over last 20 years

By Vincent Caruso

08/08/2018

Property taxpayers in St. Clair County have seen home values swamped by property taxes over the past 20 years.

TAGS: Belleville, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, St. Clair County, taxes

St. Clair County

Pension costs push Metro East property taxes up, as population shrinks

Southwestern Illinois loses big chunk of population, with one exception

Wake-up call: Illinois shrinkage makes history

Pritzker ‘fair’ tax could cost typical St. Clair County family nearly $400

Illinois House bill would close judicial elections loophole

More than 70 Belleville-area school retirees are pension millionaires

Taxpayer tab totals $98M to keep southwestern Illinois airport open

How to make an extra $3 billion, the Illinois way

St. Clair County approves 5 percent property tax levy hike

St. Clair County property taxes nearly doubled over last 20 years

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