the center square

Deering emphasized that Illinois families already shoulder some of the nation’s highest property taxes, much of which goes toward funding education. #scholarships #taxcredits #students

“You can buy Meta-glasses and look at somebody speaking a different language and it instantly translates it into your ear,” he said. #laungage #schools #lawmakers

The FTA sent a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in December, directing the CTA to implement a plan that would reduce assaults on transit workers and passengers. #security #cta #chicago

With Illinois also being home to the most local taxing bodies, House Bill 3723 would also cap annual property tax increases at 1% for seniors and House Bill 3724 would cap all such increases for homeowners at 3%. #lawmakers #tax #legislation

Those who voted to “refer it to committee” did so knowing the “resolution ain’t ever making it out of committee,” U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-KY, said. Massie has been calling for the release of names for years. #congress #voted #resolution

The disclosures and other publicly available information indicate most of the commissioners have worked other jobs during their tenures. #sidejob #diversity #thecentersquare

“The central goal of the consent decree was to bring down force against community members and especially community members of color and that is not happening.” #thecentersquare #chicagopolice #blackresidents

“It’s hard to believe, but when we pay our monthly bills we are bankrolling utility memberships in trade associations that push the utilities’ anti-consumer agenda,” Mah said. #utilities #lawmakers #consumer

Chicago’s reported homicide total of 417 in 2025 was the city’s lowest in 60 years. #crime #chicago #violence

Illinois’ lowest rankings came on institutions and predatory state action at 49th, followed by entrepreneurship at 45th and judicial system quality at 40th. #ranking #mobility #social