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 lawmaker warns medical records bill could delay care

Illinois lawmaker warns medical records bill could delay care

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – State lawmakers are clashing over an Illinois proposal that would restrict how certain sensitive medical information...
‘Farm Bill’ may ease cost burden for farmers; Ag groups urge US Senate action

‘Farm Bill’ may ease cost burden for farmers; Ag groups urge US Senate action

By Sean ReedThe Center Square Many farm-focused organizations say they support a GOP-led legislative package on agriculture that narrowly passed through the U.S. House. The Illinois Farm Bureau has urged...
Indiana voters to decide compeititive congressional primary races Tuesday

Indiana voters to decide compeititive congressional primary races Tuesday

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Indiana voters head to the polls Tuesday to elect party representatives in several competitive primary races. Across the Hoosier state, local political figures are seeking...
U.S. debt tops 100% of GDP, 'deeply troubling' for economy, national security

U.S. debt tops 100% of GDP, ‘deeply troubling’ for economy, national security

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The U.S. national debt is now larger than the entire American economy and is only set to keep growing, further exacerbating the affordability crisis and...
Screenshot 2026-04-25 at 9.20.57 AM

Manhattan Renews Cash Rent Farmland Leases on Village-Owned Properties

Village of Manhattan Meeting | April 21, 2026 Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board approved lease renewals for two village-owned agricultural parcels, generating over $15,000 in rental revenue for the upcoming...

U.S. troops in Italy, Spain hang in balance as troop reduction in Germany announced

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square On the heels of President Donald Trump threatening to reduce troops in Europe, the Department of War announced Friday the reduction of 5,000 troops from...
Federal appeals court halts access to mail-order abortion drug

Federal appeals court halts access to mail-order abortion drug

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square A federal appeals court on Friday temporarily halted a Biden-era rule that allowed individuals to receive the abortion pill mifepristone through the mail without a...
Labor unions back McCormick’s plan to reform federal permitting

Labor unions back McCormick’s plan to reform federal permitting

By John ColeThe Center Square In a rare show of solidarity, building trade unions and U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., want to streamline the federal permitting process so that projects...
Court-ordered tariff refunds bypass consumers who paid

Court-ordered tariff refunds bypass consumers who paid

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Trump administration has begun returning $166 billion in tariff refunds, launching a new portal for U.S. importers to claim their money back, but consumers...
Lincoln Way West Warriors Baseball

Lincoln-Way West Outlasts Bradley-Bourbonnais in 10-9 Slugfest

The Lincoln-Way West varsity baseball team showcased its offensive resilience on Thursday, surviving a wild, back-and-forth shootout to defeat visiting Bradley-Bourbonnais 10-9 in conference play. After trading the lead five...
Lincoln Way West Warriors Softball

Lincoln-Way West Softball Blanks Andrew 10-0 in Conference Play

The Lincoln-Way West varsity softball team delivered a dominant performance on Wednesday evening, shutting out conference rival Andrew 10-0 on their home turf. The victory completes a season sweep for...
Professor: Surging gas prices will have long-term effects

Professor: Surging gas prices will have long-term effects

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A University of Chicago professor says the effects of high gas prices will ripple through the economy...
Illinois Quick Hits: DHS says ICE captures child sex abuser released by Illinois DOC

Illinois Quick Hits: DHS says ICE captures child sex abuser released by Illinois DOC

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have arrested a Guatemalan...
Durbin calls probe ‘sham’; state lawmaker backs transparency

Durbin calls probe ‘sham’; state lawmaker backs transparency

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state lawmaker is voicing strong support for a federal investigation into dozens of school...
Lawmen believe trip from Carolinas to Washington a threat to Trump

Lawmen believe trip from Carolinas to Washington a threat to Trump

By Alan WootenThe Center Square An Army veteran lawmen believed was going to travel from the Carolinas to Washington in an attempt to kill President Donald Trump will be in...