Chicago leaders hand $40K in debt to each taxpayer, second-worst in U.S.

By Patrick Andriesen

03/21/2025

Each Chicago taxpayer is on the hook for $40,600 in city debt today, the second most among major U.S. cities. Add in the debt Illinois state leaders grew last year, and Chicago taxpayers owe nearly $80,000.

TAGS: Chicago, debt

Illinois might pay for Bears’ stadium – if they have winning seasons

By Dylan Sharkey

03/13/2025

A new bill in Springfield would require the Chicago Bears and other teams to have a few winning seasons before they can expect taxpayer help for stadiums.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago Bears, taxes

Chicago violent crime trends up as arrests trend down

By Patrick Andriesen

01/29/2025

Chicago residents reported 28,443 violent crimes during 2024. Attacks and threats were both up, with aggravated assaults hitting a 20-year high.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

3 ways to balance Chicago’s next budget without tax hikes

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

01/20/2025

Chicago might have just avoided a property tax hike, but city leaders couldn’t figure out how to pass the 2025 budget without other tax and fee increases. Here’s what the city should do to avoid repeating the same budgeting mistakes next year.

TAGS: Chicago

Proposed law would let Chicagoans recall Mayor Johnson in special election

By Mailee Smith

01/14/2025

House Bill 1084 would provide relief to the 70% of voters disapproving of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson by creating a process to recall the mayor.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

How many gang crimes occurred in your Chicago neighborhood?

By Patrick Andriesen

01/13/2025

How often did gang crimes happen in your Chicago neighborhood? Here’s what the Chicago Police data shows.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Illinois population grows in 2024 despite 56K residents leaving for other states

By Bryce Hill

12/19/2024

A massive influx of 112,955 international migrants boosted Illinois population in 2024, new Census Bureau data shows. Buses from Texas likely grew Illinois’ population.

TAGS: Chicago, outmigration, population

Chicago mayor gets budget without his $300M in property tax hikes

By Ravi Mishra, LyLena Estabine

12/17/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was denied a $300 million property tax hike, then a $150 million property tax hike, then a $68.5 million property tax hike. He got his 2025 city budget, and aldermen forced him to keep his campaign pledge not to raise property taxes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago, property taxes

Johnson proposes 11 tax and fee hikes totaling $234M

By Dylan Sharkey

12/11/2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget includes $233.9 million in tax hikes including rideshare prices and streaming services. It has already passed a key committee in the city council.

TAGS: Chicago, property taxes, taxes

Exclude staff costs, Chicago spending still spiked $3.6B in just 6 years

By Ravi Mishra, Lauren Zuar

12/10/2024

Chicago’s 2025 budget is facing a nearly $1 billion gap. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to close it: increase taxes. The city’s rising non-personnel costs, now at $6.6 billion, will outpace its grant funding, squeeze taxpayers and increase regressive fees.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago