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

Retired judge urges federal court to reject key talc researcher's testing

Retired judge urges federal court to reject key talc researcher’s testing

By Daniel Fisher | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A special master hearing evidence behind tens of thousands of lawsuits over Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder has urged the court to...
U.S. inflation cools to 3.5% in better than expected June report

U.S. inflation cools to 3.5% in better than expected June report

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square U.S. inflation decreased by 0.4% in June, for a seasonally adjusted total of 3.5% over the year, driven by rapidly falling energy costs, according to...
Court: Parents can’t sue teachers unions over illegal strikes

Court: Parents can’t sue teachers unions over illegal strikes

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square (Legal Newsline) - Parents do not have legal rights to sue teachers unions for calling illegal strikes, which allegedly lead to learning...
Extreme heat, wildfires sweep the Southwest

Extreme heat, wildfires sweep the Southwest

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Extreme heat and wildfires have defined this summer in the Southwest. Meteorologists are warning residents to be aware of air quality alerts and high temperatures....
U.S. House to vote on bill making daylight savings time permanent

U.S. House to vote on bill making daylight savings time permanent

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House will vote this week on a bill making daylight savings time permanent, despite warnings from medical, education and safety organizations. The Sunshine...
Trump: Iran to be 'hit hard' as blockade back on

Trump: Iran to be ‘hit hard’ as blockade back on

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Another round of strikes is hitting Iran, with President Donald Trump indicating the Islamic Republic will be “hit hard.” The president announced Monday that the...
U.S. House passes election campaign financing bill

U.S. House passes election campaign financing bill

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. House passed a bill Monday that would restrict funding of state and local political races and ballot proposals to American citizens only. The...
Will Graham, McConnell absences affect confirmation hearings this week?

Will Graham, McConnell absences affect confirmation hearings this week?

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The death of longtime South Carolina Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and the ongoing illness and recovery of Kentucky U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell may affect...
Senate panel sits on AI jobs-data bill 8 months on

Senate panel sits on AI jobs-data bill 8 months on

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A bipartisan U.S. Senate push to make the federal government track AI's effect on jobs has gone unanswered for four months, and the bill meant...
Nordone will fulfill remainder of brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate term

Nordone will fulfill remainder of brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate term

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Darline Graham Nordone, sister of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, has been chosen to fulfill the remainder of his term this calendar year by South Carolina...
Federal regulators narrow scope of endangered species rule

Federal regulators narrow scope of endangered species rule

By Alton WallaceThe Center Square The Interior and Commerce departments finalized a rule Friday changing enforcement of the Endangered Species Act to allow habitat damage if animals are not directly...
12 states sue to stop Warner Bros.-Paramount merger

12 states sue to stop Warner Bros.-Paramount merger

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square California Attorney General Rob Bonta is leading 12 states suing to block the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance. The lawsuit was filed...
Election 2026: Cooper poll lead tightened to 4 points

Election 2026: Cooper poll lead tightened to 4 points

By Alan WootenThe Center Square Republican Michael Whatley’s latest ad campaign paints Democrat Roy Cooper in the same light as other national figures in his party just as a new...
Environmental, tax issues weighed on $4M state-funded park

Environmental, tax issues weighed on $4M state-funded park

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Plans for a state-developed park just blocks from the State Capitol and in front of the Governor’s...
Illinois Quick Hits: State rep files Bears/megaprojects bill

Illinois Quick Hits: State rep files Bears/megaprojects bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva, has filed the latest piece of legislation aimed at keeping the Chicago...