Illinois Quick Hits: County study reflects massive property tax hikes

Illinois Quick Hits: County study reflects massive property tax hikes

March 31, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – According to a study by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, property taxes in the county increased at twice the rate of inflation and well above the rate of wage growth from 1995 to 2024.

The report says local officials took advantage of loopholes in a state law designed to limit tax increases to 5% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.

School districts, which accounted for nearly 55% of the county’s property taxes in 2024, hiked taxes by 189.4% during the past 30 years.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS CEO TO REMAIN

The Chicago Board of Education has chosen Macquline King to lead Chicago Public Schools for the next three years.

King has served as interim superintendent/CEO since last June.

When her new three-year contract takes effect on July 1, King will receive a taxpayer-funded salary of $380,000 per year.

O’FALLON POLICE CAPTURE ALLEGED BANK ROBBER

Federal authorities are crediting O’Fallon police for nabbing a bank robbery suspect.

George E. Habermehl Jr., 62, is accused of robbing a bank on Highway 50 on March 20.

Prosecutors say the O’Fallon Police Department released still images on social media and received tips identifying Habermehl, who was on probation for bank robbery and recently absconded.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Gallagher addresses Assembly, heads to Congress

WATCH: Gallagher addresses Assembly, heads to Congress

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square Assemblymember James Gallagher, R-East Nicolaus, gave his final remarks on the Assembly floor Monday afternoon before he leaves the California Legislature to begin his term...
New tariffs could raise nearly $1 trillion over a decade

New tariffs could raise nearly $1 trillion over a decade

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Proposed tariffs on imports from 60 economies could raise nearly $970 billion over the next decade, according to estimates released Monday by the Committee for...
Bill Gates to testify on Epstein relationship Wednesday

Bill Gates to testify on Epstein relationship Wednesday

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Bill Gates, the billionaire founder of Microsoft, will testify before the U.S. House Oversight Committee in a closed-door hearing on Wednesday over ties to convicted...
Republican to offer Bears stadium bill, new property tax initiatives

Republican to offer Bears stadium bill, new property tax initiatives

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A Republican state representative announced he will be releasing his own framework that will take a crack...
Trump weighs buying Chagos Islands to secure base

Trump weighs buying Chagos Islands to secure base

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Trump administration is considering buying the Chagos Islands in the central Indian Ocean from Mauritius, but the cost of such a deal is unclear...
Correctional center’s planned relocation draws mixed reactions

Correctional center’s planned relocation draws mixed reactions

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Local officials are not happy about the Illinois Department of Corrections’ decision to relocate Logan Correctional Center...
Raman edges ahead of Pratt in Los Angeles mayoral race

Raman edges ahead of Pratt in Los Angeles mayoral race

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Election results for Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt became uncertain Sunday evening after City Councilmember Nithya Raman edged past him. Mayor Karen Bass remained...
Illinois to ban automated ticket scalping, reselling ‘ghost tickets’

Illinois to ban automated ticket scalping, reselling ‘ghost tickets’

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A bipartisan effort to protect eventgoers from fraudulent tickets and online ticket scams made its way through...
Dozens of U.S. lawmakers demand privacy reforms as FISA deadline looms

Dozens of U.S. lawmakers demand privacy reforms as FISA deadline looms

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Congressional leaders are desperate to renew the federal government’s authority to conduct mass electronic surveillance before the authority expires, but dozens of lawmakers in both...
Illinois Quick Hits: IDOR announces remote retailer amnesty dates

Illinois Quick Hits: IDOR announces remote retailer amnesty dates

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Revenue says the state’s remote retailer tax amnesty program will be available from...
Federal judge blocks Trump's 100K visa fee

Federal judge blocks Trump’s 100K visa fee

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square A federal judge in Massachusetts on Monday blocked President Donald Trump's policy seeking to implement a $100,000 fee on visas for highly skilled foreign workers....
U.S. House report: Minnesota officials failed to stop fraud

U.S. House report: Minnesota officials failed to stop fraud

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A new U.S. House oversight report alleges Minnesota officials were aware of "rampant" fraud risks in taxpayer-funded social programs for years but failed to act,...
Senator says disability service workers’ raise falls short

Senator says disability service workers’ raise falls short

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state senator says wages for direct support professionals who provide services for people with developmental...
Illinois Quick Hits: Cyber attack shuts down Evanston High School

Illinois Quick Hits: Cyber attack shuts down Evanston High School

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Evanston Township High School officials say they are cooperating with the FBI after a ransomware attack on...
DC schools use sex ed curriculum that avoids using ‘male,’ ‘female,’ promotes abortion

DC schools use sex ed curriculum that avoids using ‘male,’ ‘female,’ promotes abortion

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square An education defense group is exposing what it says is the District of Columbia Public Schools “extreme” and “inappropriate” sexual education curriculum, where the terms...