Chicago’s annual budget process is usually contentious, but this year it crossed a rare threshold. In a 29–19 vote, the City Council approved an alternative spending plan that directly challenges Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget proposal, signaling a breakdown in consensus at the highest levels of city government. The vote does

A recent analysis of property tax data shows a significant shift in tax burdens across Chicago, raising concerns among homeowners, particularly on the city’s South and West Sides. The findings indicate that roughly $500 million in property tax responsibility has moved onto residential property owners, even as the city’s direct

CHICAGO — Illinois lawmakers have approved a sweeping restructuring of public transportation governance in the Chicago region, establishing a new regional transit authority backed by about $1.5 billion in annual funding. Supporters say the move is designed to stabilize finances, prevent service cuts, and bring tighter coordination to a system

A federal judge has blocked a proposed overhaul of homelessness funding by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, halting a rule that advocates warned could have pushed tens of thousands of households nationwide back into homelessness, including thousands in the Chicago area. The injunction prevents HUD from enforcing

As the calendar turned to January 1, Chicago began collecting several new and increased local taxes under its newly adopted $16.6 billion city budget, a measure passed by the City Council in late December after a contentious political battle with Mayor Brandon Johnson. Council members moved forward with a revenue

Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood continues to draw attention as city officials, developers, and community groups advance a range of housing initiatives aimed at preserving affordability while accommodating new investment tied to large-scale redevelopment projects. At the center of recent discussion is the former Loretto Academy building, a long-vacant former Catholic school

As 2026 begins, small businesses across Chicagoland are recalibrating expectations after a year marked by economic uncertainty. New survey data from the UIC Business Institute, conducted in partnership with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, suggests that while local entrepreneurs are not retreating, they are approaching the year ahead with measured

After years of organizing, quiet negotiations, and mounting pressure, workers at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry have reached a milestone that is rippling across Chicago’s cultural sector: the ratification of their first union contract. The agreement delivers 8%–10% wage increases, higher starting pay, and new workplace protections, marking

In the bustling city of Chicago, where skyscrapers dominate the skyline and concrete jungles abound, incorporating plants into office spaces can significantly enhance the work environment. Not only do plants add aesthetic appeal to indoor spaces, but they also offer a myriad of benefits that can boost employee morale, productivity,

Chicago’s skyscraper legacy often appears in architectural timelines as a series of breakthroughs in height, materials, and design. Yet behind the city’s recognizable skyline lies a deeper history—one shaped by technical adjustments, policy developments, and collective efforts rather than singular vision. While the skyline’s visual impact is widely acknowledged, the

The shift to electric vehicles has become a major trend across various sectors, with the transportation industry leading the charge. Illinois is pushing forward with its plans to integrate electric trucks into local industries, aiming to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and boost economic growth. The state is using a

A rare clash between a powerful local labor union and federal authorities has captured the attention of educators, elected officials, and community members across the city. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is publicly questioning the timing and fairness of a second federal review of its finances — this one initiated