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

Cook County must pay for taking homes over unpaid property tax: Judge

Cook County must pay for taking homes over unpaid property tax: Judge

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Cook County could be on the hook for at least tens of millions of dollars, if not more than $100 million, to...
Chicago aldermen consider $54.7M tax break for United Center project

Chicago aldermen consider $54.7M tax break for United Center project

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Chicago City Council may consider a $54.7 million property tax break for owners of the Chicago...
Farmers call for fertilizer price transparency, domestic growth

Farmers call for fertilizer price transparency, domestic growth

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Farmers and advocates on Tuesday called on Congress to implement transparency reporting requirements in fertilizer pricing. The U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee held...
Major nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown, more than 80 firearms seized

Major nationwide Tren de Aragua crackdown, more than 80 firearms seized

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Trump administration continues to crack down on violent Tren de Aragua Venezuelan prison gang members after they flooded the country during the Biden administration....
Lincoln Way West Warriors Softball

Lincoln-Way West Dominates Lockport in 4-0 Shutout Victory

The Lincoln-Way West varsity softball team delivered a masterful performance on Monday, blanking Lockport 4-0 in a conference clash. The Warriors’ defense was impenetrable, holding the Porters hitless throughout the...
Illinois Quick Hits: State taxpayers to cover student loan debt for civil engineers

Illinois Quick Hits: State taxpayers to cover student loan debt for civil engineers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that the state will pay $15,000 of eligible student loan...
Fitzpatrick, Houlahan, Kelly, Smucker back bipartisan immigration reform bill

Fitzpatrick, Houlahan, Kelly, Smucker back bipartisan immigration reform bill

By John ColeThe Center Square A bipartisan group of Pennsylvania lawmakers has signed on to an immigration reform proposal that is dividing House Republicans. U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District;...
Lawmakers grill Hegseth on Iran conflict, $1.5T budget request

Lawmakers grill Hegseth on Iran conflict, $1.5T budget request

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the U.S.-Iran conflict continues with no end in sight, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth dodged questions from U.S. lawmakers on both sides of the...
Trump confirms Makary out at FDA

Trump confirms Makary out at FDA

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday that Marty Makary would be leaving his post atop the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. While speaking to reporters...
Trump to 'be thinking' about red line in Iran ceasefire

Trump to ‘be thinking’ about red line in Iran ceasefire

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump said he will "be thinking" about a potential red line in the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran as he departed to...
Detroit border agents seize greatest volume of drugs at northern border

Detroit border agents seize greatest volume of drugs at northern border

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Over the past seven years, Border Patrol agents working in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Detroit Sector have seized the greatest volume of drugs...
WATCH: Ex-rep sues Pritzker, Illinois over race-based congressional map

WATCH: Ex-rep sues Pritzker, Illinois over race-based congressional map

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ congressional district map is being challenged over what some argue are unconstitutional racial requirements for districts....
Lawmakers tussle over impacts of ‘equitable’ school funding in Illinois

Lawmakers tussle over impacts of ‘equitable’ school funding in Illinois

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The evidence-based funding formula for public schools in Illinois, signed into law in 2017, was under the...
Illinois Quick Hits: $42.6M UIS student library on schedule

Illinois Quick Hits: $42.6M UIS student library on schedule

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Capital Development Board says a $42.6 million state taxpayer-funded library project is on schedule at...
An 'arms race' for pay at elite, tax-exempt colleges

An ‘arms race’ for pay at elite, tax-exempt colleges

By Jared StrongThe Center Square Top private nonprofit universities that receive government funding pay some of their top leaders millions of dollars and one even received a $20 million longevity...