Pensions make Illinois property taxes among nation’s most painful

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

07/30/2018

Any meaningful property tax relief for Illinoisans means reforming Illinois’ unsustainable public pension system.

Puzzled by property taxes: Improving transparency and fairness in Illinois’ assessment system

By Amy Korte

07/19/2018

Illinois should take steps toward more accurate and frequent property assessments to ensure the tax burden is distributed as fairly as possible.

Belleville has seen sharpest population decline among top Illinois cities since 2010

By Vincent Caruso

06/08/2018

As Illinois struggles to address its people problem, population loss has plagued communities across the Land of Lincoln. But the shrinkage in some areas has been more severe than others.

TAGS: Belleville, jobs, Metro East, Missouri, outmigration, population

More than 230 Belleville school district employees earn more than $100K

By Vincent Caruso

05/30/2018

Many school district employees’ earnings are more than double that of the typical Belleville household.

TAGS: Belleville, Belleville Township School District 201, consolidation, local government consolidation, Metro East, municipal pensions, pensions, salaries, school district consolidation, St. Clair County, teacher salaries

Metro East property tax bills making their way to mailboxes

05/21/2018

Residents of St. Clair and Madison Counties will soon see some of the nation’s most punishing property tax bills.

TAGS: Alton, Belleville, Madison County, Metro East, property taxes, St. Clair County

Metro East property tax bills making their way to mailboxes

By Austin Berg

05/18/2018

Residents of St. Clair and Madison Counties will soon see some of the nation’s most punishing property tax bills.

TAGS: collective bargaining, Madison County, Metro East, municipal pensions, pensions, prevailing wage, property taxes, St. Clair County, taxes

Report: Metro East property tax rates nearly double national average

04/23/2018

Both Madison and St. Clair County taxpayers paid a higher effective tax rate than the national average in 2017, a year which also saw continued outmigration from the region.

TAGS: Madison County, Metro East, property taxes, St. Clair County

Proposed Belleville budget hikes taxes on residents

By Brendan Bakala

04/07/2018

The proposed $100.8 million budget will spend millions on police and fire pensions as well as a 3 percent pay raise for city workers.

TAGS: Belleville, fees, property taxes, taxes

Progressive tax proposal would mean as much as a $600 tax hike for typical Metro East family

03/30/2018

Though some politicians claim a progressive income tax would only affect the rich, rates established under House Bill 3522 would raise income taxes on middle-class families.

TAGS: income tax, Madison County, Metro East, progressive income tax, Robert Martwick, St. Clair County

Former East St. Louis township officials diverted nearly $1M in youth program funds

By Vincent Caruso

03/30/2018

Two township administrators took state grant funds intended for a summer youth program to cover up for illegal credit card purchases.

TAGS: corruption, East St. Louis, St. Clair County, townships

St. Clair County

Pensions make Illinois property taxes among nation’s most painful

Puzzled by property taxes: Improving transparency and fairness in Illinois’ assessment system

Belleville has seen sharpest population decline among top Illinois cities since 2010

More than 230 Belleville school district employees earn more than $100K

Metro East property tax bills making their way to mailboxes

Metro East property tax bills making their way to mailboxes

Report: Metro East property tax rates nearly double national average

Proposed Belleville budget hikes taxes on residents

Progressive tax proposal would mean as much as a $600 tax hike for typical Metro East family

Former East St. Louis township officials diverted nearly $1M in youth program funds

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