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

Fort Bragg soldier’s case continues Tuesday in New York

Fort Bragg soldier’s case continues Tuesday in New York

By Alan WootenThe Center Square An enlisted soldier at Fort Bragg was granted $250,000 bond release on Friday and will have his charges of using classified information to win $400,000...
Justice Department drops Federal Reserve probe, kicks to watchdog

Justice Department drops Federal Reserve probe, kicks to watchdog

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said Friday she is closing the Justice Department's criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, days after a...
Pritzker: 'Need for speed' for megaprojects bill with tax breaks

Pritzker: ‘Need for speed’ for megaprojects bill with tax breaks

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says there is a need for speed when it comes to the Chicago Bears...
NYC schools probed over claims of antisemitism

NYC schools probed over claims of antisemitism

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Trump administration is investigating claims that New York City schools violated the civil rights of Jewish students by hosting seminars on Palestinian resistance. The...
Illinois Quick Hits: AFP says tax breaks would be more at Soldier Field

Illinois Quick Hits: AFP says tax breaks would be more at Soldier Field

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Americans for Prosperity Illinois says megaprojects legislation that cleared the Illinois House could give a proposed development...
Soldier's insider trading case puts prediction markets to the test

Soldier’s insider trading case puts prediction markets to the test

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square An alleged attempt by a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier to profit from classified military intelligence on a prediction market platform has resulted in the...
U.S. will continue blockade 'as long as it takes,' Hegseth says

U.S. will continue blockade ‘as long as it takes,’ Hegseth says

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The United States will continue it's blockade in the Strait of Hormuz for "as long as it takes," War Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday....
Will County Board Graphic.03

Will County Takes Jurisdiction of Countyline Road in $1.84 Million Agreement with Kankakee County

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board has approved a jurisdictional transfer that brings a 4.27-mile stretch of Countyline Road entirely under Will...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Green Garden Township’s Wildflower Farm Granted Third Special Use Extension

Will County Board Meeting | April 16, 2026 Article Summary: Bengston Land Management, LLC secured a third extension on its special use permit to host rural events at The Wildflower...
Gori seeks quick end to asbestos fraud, lawsuit ‘bounties' case

Gori seeks quick end to asbestos fraud, lawsuit ‘bounties’ case

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The Gori Law Firm, considered America’s most prolific filer of asbestos personal injury lawsuits, has pushed back on claims it engaged in...
Texas Ten Commandments law may reach Supreme Court

Texas Ten Commandments law may reach Supreme Court

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A federal appeals court ruling upholding a Texas law requiring Ten Commandments displays in public school classrooms is setting up a potential challenge before the...
Feds reopen probe into LAUSD race-based program

Feds reopen probe into LAUSD race-based program

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has reopened an investigation into the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Black Student Achievement Plan following...
Trump won't be rushed on Iran as clock ticking for the regime

Trump won’t be rushed on Iran as clock ticking for the regime

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Time is ticking for Iran, as President Donald Trump says he won’t be rushed into giving a timeline regarding the conflict and ceasefire with Iran....
Multiple House Republicans defy proposed 3-year FISA Section 702 extension

Multiple House Republicans defy proposed 3-year FISA Section 702 extension

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After two attempts last week to reauthorize a controversial spy power of the federal government, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has unveiled the text of...
Fetterman wants SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken

Fetterman wants SNAP to cover hot rotisserie chicken

By John ColeThe Center Square U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and three of his colleagues have introduced a bill that would allow beneficiaries in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or...