Illinois cell phone taxes highest in nation
Illinois cell phone taxes highest in nation
Nearly one-third of the cell phone bills in Illinois are taxes
Chicago taxpayers on the hook for extra $2 billion under Lightfoot plan
Chicago taxpayers on the hook for extra $2 billion under Lightfoot plan
Lightfoot’s budget depends on borrowing and property tax hikes.
DuPage County, Chicago drivers facing new gas tax hikes
DuPage County, Chicago drivers facing new gas tax hikes
The same law that doubled Illinois’ gas tax is now being used by DuPage County and Chicago to fill revenue shortfalls from COVID-19.
DAILY LINKS / 1.29.2024
The Center Square: Chicago mayor not on board with blocking DNC in exchange for federal funding for migrants Chicago Sun-Times: In crooked Bridgeport bank failure case, City Hall insider under 3 mayors faces a reckoning The Chicago Tribune: No help: The federal immigration deal won’t fix the migrant crisis in Chicago — and it’s unlikely to pass Congress anyway The Daily Herald: How much property taxes per person does it cost to run your town? The Pantagraph: As Kankakee River water levels decrease after flash flood, Will County assesses damage The Chicago Tribune: Illinois appeals courts see ‘dramatic increase’ in cases following elimination of cash bailPritzker demands answers from Madigan as more Illinois lawmakers seek resignation
Pritzker demands answers from Madigan as more Illinois lawmakers seek resignation
Madigan already had lost enough support to end his 35-year run as House speaker, but the gap continued to widen as Illinois’ governor added his rebuke.
Illinois loses 1,100 jobs in October, unemployment rate falls largely from workers giving up
Illinois loses 1,100 jobs in October, unemployment rate falls largely from workers giving up
Jobs data is giving the illusion of economic recovery in Illinois. The reality is 107,530 workers gave up their job searches, and new COVID-19 lockdowns can only hurt more workers.
Madigan opposition hits critical mass as his confidant, 3 others charged in ComEd bribery scandal
Madigan opposition hits critical mass as his confidant, 3 others charged in ComEd bribery scandal
The indictments are the closest yet to Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s inner circle. Now enough Democrats are pledging they won’t support him to cost him the speaker’s gavel.
Madigan’s legacy of corruption will survive his downfall, unless …
Madigan’s legacy of corruption will survive his downfall, unless …
After decades under Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s rule, Illinois is corroding from his concentration of power. Robust ethics laws, rules and norms could stop a new Madigan from rising.
Man who recorded Madigan, led Burke charges, pleads guilty
Man who recorded Madigan, led Burke charges, pleads guilty
A Chinatown developer made the recording in 2014, which is still a piece to a lengthy federal investigation.
Pension reform key to protecting Illinois services, taxpayers after ‘fair tax’ rejection
Pension reform key to protecting Illinois services, taxpayers after ‘fair tax’ rejection
Asking Illinoisans to pay more in taxes to receive less in services has been the trend in state government for the past decade, driven by the ever-growing cost of Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation pension crisis.
Gina Garbis: Richmond BratHaus
Gina Garbis: Richmond BratHaus
"The population is so divided. Some people say, ‘If you stay open we’ll support you!’ But others say, ‘Hey, who are you to choose money over lives and put the public at risk?’ It’s really hard to know what to do.”
Illinois sees largest increase in new unemployment claims in the nation
Illinois sees largest increase in new unemployment claims in the nation
76,338 Illinoisans filed new unemployment claims during the week ending Oct. 31, up more than 23,000 from prior week.
K.C. Gulbro: Foxfire restaurant
K.C. Gulbro: Foxfire restaurant
“I have a deep love for restaurants. I started out as a busboy-host at Baker’s Square back in 1991-2. Since then, I’ve been in almost every position you could have in the restaurant industry – from busboy to executive manager and chef.” “It’s an industry that my dad and I have fallen in love with,...
Pritzker renews push to end federal oversight of state hiring
Pritzker renews push to end federal oversight of state hiring
The federal court system has been watching Illinois for patronage hiring since 1972. There’s little evidence the problem is fixed.