Paul Vallas: Chicagoans will pay for Brandon Johnson’s ‘tax the rich’ agenda

By Paul Vallas

10/22/2026

Residents would face higher taxes and fees under his proposed budget.

Johnson proposes record budget for Chicago with $427 million in higher taxes and fees and $231 million in one-time revenues

By Bryce Hill

10/21/2026

The $17.6 billion proposal relies primarily on hikes to close a projected $882.4 million Corporate Fund deficit.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Solutions for vacant lots would reduce crime and poverty in Chicago

By LyLena Estabine

08/17/2026

Reducing property taxes and bureaucratic holdups will lead to safer communities and more economic opportunities on Chicago's South and West sides.

Updated: Chicago Public Schools has a new $10 billion budget. How have its finances become such a mess?

By Bryce Hill

07/31/2026

The CPS budget proposal relies on hundreds of millions in fund sweeps to “balance.” Despite layoffs, CPS payrolls grew compared with last year and remain 8,250 higher than 2020 levels despite fewer students.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools

Vallas: The Chicago City Council must empower itself for better budget oversight

By Paul Vallas

05/21/2026

Going into this budget cycle, there should be an added urgency for the City Council to build its capacity to play a co-equal role in the budget process and push to adopt more reforms and efficiencies to control spending.

Cook County TIFs cost taxpayers over $2 billion

By LyLena Estabine

04/01/2026

By freezing property values in a specific area, TIF districts artificially manipulate who pays the levy, leading to effective property tax hikes.

TAGS: TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Chicago property taxes jump — but unevenly

By LyLena Estabine

03/05/2026

Some communities saw their bills rise 75% or more.

Mayor Johnson’s record-setting $1 billion TIF surplus highlights issues

By Bryce Hill

10/24/2025

Chicago Tax Increment Finance “surpluses” have increased more than ninefold in the past decade.

TAGS: Chicago, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Illinois needs a limitation on special property tax district extensions

By LyLena Estabine, Cameron Jasper

08/15/2025

Tax increment financing districts divert public property tax dollars with little oversight, letting cities keep special taxing powers for decades, often misusing funds and shortchanging taxpayers.

TAGS: TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Vallas: What you should be asking about Chicago mayor’s budget

By Paul Vallas

10/24/2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered a budget that does little to improve the city or advance his many progressive initiatives. Here’s what it does, and what Chicagoans should be asking city leaders about what it could be.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

Tax increment financing

Paul Vallas: Chicagoans will pay for Brandon Johnson’s ‘tax the rich’ agenda

Johnson proposes record budget for Chicago with $427 million in higher taxes and fees and $231 million in one-time revenues

Solutions for vacant lots would reduce crime and poverty in Chicago

Updated: Chicago Public Schools has a new $10 billion budget. How have its finances become such a mess?

Vallas: The Chicago City Council must empower itself for better budget oversight

Cook County TIFs cost taxpayers over $2 billion

Chicago property taxes jump — but unevenly

Mayor Johnson’s record-setting $1 billion TIF surplus highlights issues

Illinois needs a limitation on special property tax district extensions

Vallas: What you should be asking about Chicago mayor’s budget

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

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Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students