Illinois lawmakers finally pass bill to end home equity theft

By Joe Tabor

07/10/2026

The state finally passed legislation to comply with a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the government may not keep surplus equity when property is sold for unpaid taxes.

Ruling shows Illinois must address home equity theft

By Joe Tabor

05/14/2026

A federal judge found Cook County liable for damages to taxpayers who lost the equity in their homes because of an unconstitutional state law.

U.S. Supreme Court decision puts brakes on Illinois redistricting amendment

By Joe Tabor

04/30/2026

Louisiana v. Callais prohibits using race to draw districts. That would make the proposed amendment unconstitutional.

Pritzker’s budget has $600 million in business tax proposals

By Ravi Mishra

03/05/2026

Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants $589 million in business-focused tax hikes. That would endanger Illinois’ long-term economic stability.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Illinois county updated tax sale, participation dropped

By LyLena Estabine

02/10/2026

White County joined Rock Island in altering tax sale rules to stop equity theft. The moves are intended to protect them from an unconstitutional state law.

Soybeans, organ donors, flags, reading get new Illinois laws

By Lilly Rossi

12/23/2025

Illinois lawmakers ensure residents ring in the New Year with nearly 300 new laws. A state bean, reading and where to place U.S. flags addressed.

Judge rules Cook County tax sale illegal; lawmakers yet to act

By LyLena Estabine

12/16/2025

A federal judge ruled Cook County is illegally settling minor property tax debts by seizing the full value of properties. Illinois law still allows the practice.

Illinois facing lawsuits over property tax theft

By LyLena Estabine

10/30/2025

Lawsuits are mounting from homeowners, investors and counties. Unless lawmakers act, taxpayers could pay millions in damages over Illinois' unconstitutional tax sale system.

Illinois law still says unpaid property taxes can rob you of home equity

By Cameron Jasper, LyLena Estabine

08/12/2025

Across Illinois, homeowners are losing their homes and all their equity over minor tax debts, with private investors reaping the profits. Illinois is one of the remaining states hasn’t reformed this unconstitutional practice.

Nearly 1 in 3 Illinois school contracts mislead teachers about fees they owe

By Mailee Smith

06/16/2025

Seven years after they were freed from being forced to pay unions, at least 267 of Illinois’ 866 school districts still have “fair share” language in their teachers union contracts. Those contracts are wrong and should be fixed so teachers get the truth about their pay.

TAGS: public schools

Supreme Court of the United States

Illinois lawmakers finally pass bill to end home equity theft

Ruling shows Illinois must address home equity theft

U.S. Supreme Court decision puts brakes on Illinois redistricting amendment

Pritzker’s budget has $600 million in business tax proposals

Illinois county updated tax sale, participation dropped

Soybeans, organ donors, flags, reading get new Illinois laws

Judge rules Cook County tax sale illegal; lawmakers yet to act

Illinois facing lawsuits over property tax theft

Illinois law still says unpaid property taxes can rob you of home equity

Nearly 1 in 3 Illinois school contracts mislead teachers about fees they owe

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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