In 2017 alone, Lake County billed homeowners $1.8 billion in property taxes. Owners of a median-valued home in Lake Forest received a $13,600 property tax bill.

TAGS: Lake County, property taxes, taxes

Study: Chicago’s regulatory roadblocks stifle the city’s food trucks

By Vincent Caruso

03/27/2018

The country is enjoying a food truck boom, but overbearing regulations threaten the industry. According to a new study, Chicago’s regulatory burden is among the worst.

TAGS: Chicago, food trucks, licensing, regulations

False promises, real harm: Why Illinoisans should reject a progressive income tax

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

03/26/2018

States with a progressive income tax see greater income inequality, and have seen income inequality rise faster than states without a progressive income tax.

Of the nation’s 10 largest metro areas, only Chicago saw population loss in 2017

By Austin Berg

03/22/2018

The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro area witnessed population decline over the year, as did nearly every other metro area in Illinois.

TAGS: Chicago, outmigration, population, U.S. Census Bureau

More than 80 percent of Illinois counties saw population loss in 2017

By Bryce Hill, Austin Berg

03/22/2018

As outmigration fuels population decline throughout the state, Cook County saw the largest numeric population loss of any county in the nation.

TAGS: collar counties, Cook County, outmigration, U.S. Census Bureau

Decatur city manager to outearn nearly every state governor following salary increase

By Vincent Caruso

03/21/2018

Decatur’s population is shrinking, but earnings for the city manager continue to grow.

TAGS: Decatur, municipal pensions, pensions, salaries

Lake Forest city manager outearns all 50 state governors

By Vincent Caruso

03/19/2018

In Illinois, hundreds of municipal workers earn more than every state governor. The city manager of Lake Forest is the second-highest paid city manager in the state.

TAGS: property taxes, salaries, spending

United States Census Bureau

Flying blind: Illinois’ revenue estimates and the basics of bad budgeting

Union pay raise could force Kane County property tax hike

9 Schaumburg Park District employees take home more than $100K per year

Lake County homeowners: Where do your property taxes go?

Study: Chicago’s regulatory roadblocks stifle the city’s food trucks

False promises, real harm: Why Illinoisans should reject a progressive income tax

Of the nation’s 10 largest metro areas, only Chicago saw population loss in 2017

More than 80 percent of Illinois counties saw population loss in 2017

Decatur city manager to outearn nearly every state governor following salary increase

Lake Forest city manager outearns all 50 state governors

Who Lives Below the Poverty Line in Illinois? Family Structure and Education Mark the Highest Risk

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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