Mayor plots $20M from catalyst fund for development | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says his administration will repurpose $20 million in taxpayer money from a dormant city fund to spur investment in community centers, recreational spaces and other resources. The city’s Office of Inspector General discovered more than $57 million in the dormant Community Catalyst Fund earlier this year. After […]
Landlords say registration question on ballot could raise taxes | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Next week, Springfield voters will choose whether to accept or deny a ballot question guiding the city on creating a landlord registry across the capital city. A proposal, backed by many community groups, seeks to create a registry as increasing complaints of single-family and multi-unit rental properties have gone unmaintained or […]
Incumbent Johnson, Giannoulias, others file petitions to run for Chicago mayor | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson turned in the required signatures to the Chicago Board of Elections Friday for him to run for reelection, officially joining the crowded field of candidates in doing so. Johnson, the city’s 37th mayor, a progressive who was elected by 51% of the vote to lead the city […]
Braidwood fire tax hike draws scrutiny over costs, referendum outreach | Illinois
(The Center Square) – A proposed Braidwood Fire Protection District tax increase that would raise its annual property tax extension by nearly 87% is drawing scrutiny over the cost to taxpayers and the district’s use of outside consultants for public outreach. The district estimates its annual tax extension would rise from about $2.82 million to […]
Illinois quick hits: Brief filed in Cook County assault weapons ban case | Illinois
Brief filed in Cook County assault weapons ban case BRIEF FILED IN SUPREME COURT COOK CO. ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office filed its brief in defense of the county’s assault weapons ban that is being challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court. The case – scheduled for a hearing of oral arguments […]
Same players, arguments appear in renewed corporate ‘head tax’ proposal | Illinois
(The Center Square) – One part of Chicago’s newly-proposed budget under consideration by the city council is a new per-employee tax on some businesses in the city, which local business interests say is a disincentive and the wrong way to bring growth and affordability to the city. Among Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed $17.6 billion […]
Johnson budget spends and taxes more | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2027 budget proposal includes a new package tax, a new tax on large employers and several tax increases. Johnson introduced his $17.6 billion spending plan on Wednesday, up from $16.7 billion this year. The mayor said his budget ensures that every Chicagoan receives their fair share of […]
Pritzker celebrates high-achieving schools as funding gap grows | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker celebrated the “best of the best” in Illinois education Tuesday, awarding 24 schools the Governor’s Blue Ribbon award amid a backdrop of widening state funding gaps and lagging math and reading scores. The state award, now in its second year, replaced the federal Blue Ribbon program discontinued in […]
Calls for more transit safety, SAFE-T reform after CTA employee killed | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Following the fatal stabbing of a Chicago Transit Authority employee while on the job, one state lawmaker is continuing his call to reform the SAFE-T Act because the man who killed the employee had multiple previous felony convictions. CTA janitor Julian Mobley was stabbed and killed while attempting to help a […]
Everyday Economics: Luxury housing offers builders a way through the slump | National
(The Center Square) – Jacksonville and Chicago have more high-income households than in 2019, and more luxury buyers than a year ago but fewer homes for sale, creating an opening for builders despite high mortgage rates. In Jacksonville, the estimated luxury buyer pool grew 10.4% from a year earlier while active luxury listings fell 9.4% […]