Illinois Quick Hits: County study reflects massive property tax hikes

Illinois Quick Hits: County study reflects massive property tax hikes

Spread the love

(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

Illinois quick hits: Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote

Illinois quick hits: Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois U.S. senators split on shutdown vote Illinois U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth differed as the Senate voted to...
End to government shutdown in sight after senators make funding deal

End to government shutdown in sight after senators make funding deal

By Thérèse Boudreaux | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. senators finally broke the government funding impasse Sunday night, voting 60-40 to advance a bill ending...
Screenshot 2025-11-06 at 3.37.51 PM

Will County Saves Nearly $5.74 Million in Bond Refinancing, Explores Future Borrowing Options

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | November 4, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board’s Capital Improvements & IT Committee learned that the county has successfully saved nearly...
Black and white speed limit 25 sign

Will County Board Advances New Speed Limits in Green Garden and Frankfort Townships

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Board approved new speed limits for a section of Stuenkel Road in Green Garden...
Will County Logo Graphic

New Lenox Garage Variance Denied After Neighbor Cites ‘Massive’ Scale and Neighborhood Impact

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 4, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously denied a New Lenox Township homeowner's request for a variance...
Screenshot 2025-11-06 at 4.17.20 PM

State Veto Session Passes Energy Bill Limiting County Zoning, Approves Toll Hike for Mass Transit

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Legislative Committee for November 4, 2025 Article Summary: A state lobbyist reported to Will County that the Illinois General Assembly passed a major energy bill...
Large naval presence in Caribbean ahead of Ford arrival

Large naval presence in Caribbean ahead of Ford arrival

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the number of suspected narcotic transport boats destroyed by the U.S. military grows, so does the number of naval vessels in the Caribbean. Secretary...
Voting rights group warns CA redistricting push could undermine trust in IL

Voting rights group warns CA redistricting push could undermine trust in IL

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (THE CENTer Square) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging states like Illinois to redraw congressional maps, but voting rights...
Chicago downtown office space vacancy rate jumps to record high levels

Chicago downtown office space vacancy rate jumps to record high levels

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With Chicago’s downtown office vacancy rate now at a record-high 28%, Illinois Policy Institute researcher LyLena...
will county board graphic

Commission Approves Peotone-Area Farmhouse Split, Overruling Staff’s “Spot Zoning” Concerns

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 4, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a request to rezone a 1.75-acre portion of a larger...
Screenshot 2025-11-05 at 4.18.19 PM

Will County Finance Committee Hits Impasse on 2025 Tax Levy, Postpones Budget Votes

Will County Finance Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Finance Committee postponed votes on the 2025 tax levy and the 2026 budget after a contentious debate...
Federal court backs union on feds' partisan emails

Federal court backs union on feds’ partisan emails

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A federal judge ruled Friday that the Trump administration violated employees’ First Amendment rights by allegedly hijacking their email accounts to send automated partisan messages...
Senate Democrats propose new govt. funding deal; Republicans reject it

Senate Democrats propose new govt. funding deal; Republicans reject it

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After nearly six weeks of continuously blocking Republicans’ bill to end the ongoing government shutdown, Senate Democrats have modified their funding counterproposal. Instead of demanding...
Trump administration will fully fund SNAP despite appeal

Trump administration will fully fund SNAP despite appeal

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Trump administration said Friday afternoon that it would fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for November, despite the funding lapse and government shutdown....
Report: Princeton ranked best university, best school overall

Report: Princeton ranked best university, best school overall

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Princeton University claimed the nation's top spot for universities and best school overall in WalletHub's 2026 Best Colleges rankings. The WalletHub report analyzed 800 higher-education...