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.

More Stories
Weather Full forecast →
⚠️ Flash Flood Warning issued July 27 at 3:36PM CDT until July 27 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
⚠️ Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued July 27 at 2:19PM CDT until July 27 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Today Jul 26
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
85° 69°

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

💨 15 mph 💧 32%
Data: National Weather Service • Updated Jul 27, 4:43 PM Full Forecast →
Site Sections

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Critics skeptical of YMCA’s diversity statement removal

Critics skeptical of YMCA’s diversity statement removal

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Following criticism, the YMCA removed its online diversity, equity and inclusion statement that made reference to gender identity, with a parents advocacy group warning the...
Ex-security officials thank Pritzker for not deploying Guard to America’s 250th

Ex-security officials thank Pritzker for not deploying Guard to America’s 250th

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A group of 19 former national security officials signed a letter to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, thanking...
Biggs: H.R. 1 tax cuts to boost Arizona’s economy

Biggs: H.R. 1 tax cuts to boost Arizona’s economy

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump signing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which features tax cuts that an Arizona congressman says...
WATCH/EXCLUSIVE: America 250 celebrates civics education

WATCH/EXCLUSIVE: America 250 celebrates civics education

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Department of Education and a coalition of organizations launched a...
OMB says fraud losses 'in the hundreds of billions' annually

OMB says fraud losses ‘in the hundreds of billions’ annually

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Biden administration called the government's only estimate of annual fraud losses "not plausible." Now, the Trump administration says fraud costs taxpayers hundreds of billions...
National security group report questions Environmental Law Institute's China ties

National security group report questions Environmental Law Institute’s China ties

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square A national security group wants Congress to investigate the Environmental Law Institute. The group says the nonprofit helped shape climate lawsuits against American energy companies...
America’s 250th: Fireworks, fairs and festivals planned in nation's capital

America’s 250th: Fireworks, fairs and festivals planned in nation’s capital

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The federal government has planned a day packed with events commemorating the nation's highly anticipated 250th birthday, including an address from President Donald Trump before...
Millions under extreme heat warning for July 4th weekend

Millions under extreme heat warning for July 4th weekend

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square As Independence Day celebrations kick off, millions of Americans in much of the central and eastern United States are under extreme heat warnings. More than...
Trump to cut solar, wind subsidies on July 4th

Trump to cut solar, wind subsidies on July 4th

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration is set to cut subsidies for new solar and wind power projects on Saturday. Estimates suggest the subsidies have cost taxpayers more...
Arizona congressman seeks to boost military hazard pay

Arizona congressman seeks to boost military hazard pay

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Surprise, Ariz., recently introduced a bill to increase military hazard pay. The Combat Pay Protection Act would require Congress to increase...
Report: Wisconsin's $2.7B projected surplus the result of inflation

Report: Wisconsin’s $2.7B projected surplus the result of inflation

By Jon StyfThe Center Square Inflation led to roughly $2.7 billion more in Wisconsin sales tax collections over the past five years than was projected, the same amount that the...
AAA: Record July 4th travel expected as gas prices ease

AAA: Record July 4th travel expected as gas prices ease

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Drivers will get some relief at the pump this Independence Day weekend after months of high gas prices. With a record number of Americans expected...
A year after deadly floods: Foundation launches national parent pledge campaign

A year after deadly floods: Foundation launches national parent pledge campaign

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The Safe Summers Foundation has launched a national parent pledge campaign approaching the one-year anniversary of the July 4 historic flood that swept through the...
Survey: Patriotism runs high as most Americans are achieving the American Dream

Survey: Patriotism runs high as most Americans are achieving the American Dream

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square A majority of U.S. adults say they are living the American Dream and are proud to be Americans, while negative sentiments toward AI’s effect on...
Colorado's 50,187-acre fire tops U.S. firefighting priorities

Colorado’s 50,187-acre fire tops U.S. firefighting priorities

By Robert MattesonThe Center Square A 50,187-acre wildfire in Colorado has been declared the nation's No. 1 firefighting priority. Spanning Pueblo and Custer counties, the Aspen Acres Fire is expected...