Report: Chicago TIFs drove up taxes | Illinois
(The Center Square) – According to a new report from the University of Illinois Chicago, tax increment financing has led to significantly higher property taxes in the city. Juan D. González, report author and senior fellow at UIC’s Great Cities Institute, said TIFs began as a well-intentioned and innovative method to revitalize neighborhoods and finance […]
Johnson’s order could make contractors ‘revisit’ practices | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says his administration wants to know if city contractors reflect the diversity of the people whose tax dollars pay for their work. Johnson signed an executive order Wednesday to establish new procurement standards for companies that do business with Chicago. The order requires current contractors and subcontractors […]
Chicago to refinance, but long-term issues remain | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Mayor Brandon Johnson says his administration has identified a way to reduce its budget shortfall for the current fiscal year. The mayor said the city would refinance eligible bonds at their 10-year option point to save up to $71 million without increasing debt costs. The other part of the plan, if necessary, […]
State Rep accused of sexual harassment, office drug use by former staffer | Illinois
(The Center Square) – State Rep. Amy Murri Briel, D-Ottowa, is the latest lawmaker subject to allegations of ethics violations and inappropriate behavior in office after a former staffer went public with allegations including drug use and sexual harassment. Laura Jackson, Briel’s former chief of staff and campaign staffer, went public Thursday through the campaign […]
Lawmaker: Tyson closure shows Illinois is losing jobs to other states | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois state Sen. Chris Balkema says Tyson Foods’ decision to close its Joslin beef processing plant is another warning sign that Illinois needs to improve its business climate. Tyson announced the closure as part of a restructuring of its beef operations, affecting more than 2,500 Illinois workers and shifting production to […]
Report: Illinois tops nation in debt ratio | Illinois
(The Center Square) – According to a new report on financial red flags, Illinois has a higher debt ratio than any other state and Chicago is the most financially tenuous place in America. Reason Foundation used audited financial reports from state governments and the nation’s 100 largest cities, counties and school districts to evaluate them […]
Third Dem exits House ‘accountability’ working group | Illinois
(The Center Square) – At the Illinois State Fair this week, controversy surrounding ethics, transparency and complaints against lawmakers followed politicians from the State Capitol to the state fairgrounds just 3 miles north. A “workplace culture and accountability” working group was created by House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch in response to issues of sexual harassment […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Alderman says divorce records contain unsubstantiated claims | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez says the Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy defied legal proceedings to distribute sealed documents that contain unsubstantiated claims made during divorce proceedings in 2012. Although DuPage County Judge Robert E. Douglas ordered the documents to be unsealed last month, Sigcho-Lopez said in a press release sent to The […]
Board approves higher Illinois tolls | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Illinois tollway users will be paying more next year, and a state representative warned that there could be traffic implications. The Illinois Tollway Board held its monthly meeting on Wednesday and voted unanimously in favor of a plan to raise tolls by 45 cents per toll for most passenger vehicles and […]
Illinois Quick Hits: Pritzker adds $65M to campaign funds | Illinois
(The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has contributed $65 million to his gubernatorial campaign fund. Since his first run for governor in 2018, Pritzker has spent more than $400 million on campaigns for himself and other Democratic Party candidates. COOK PROPERTY TAX BILLS TO BE MAILED SEPT. 1 Cook County officials say the next […]