A.D. Quig – Page 14 –

Cook Couty Assessor Fritz Kaegi heads to the lectern to speak during the Cook County Democratic Party primary slating at the I.B.E.W hall on July 17, 2025, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai))

Cook County leaders want property tax relief for more seniors, but south suburban mayors group resists

October 28, 2025 at 4:31 p.m.

Toni Preckwinkle and Fritz Kaegi are backing legislation that would raise the income level for senior property tax freeze eligibility, from $75,000 for the 2026 tax year to $79,000 for...

Cook County political candidates, including County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, arrive with petitions after lining up early Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, at the county clerk’s office to submit nominating petitions for the March primary election. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Cook County candidates pack the hallway to get on the ballot

October 27, 2025 at 6:09 p.m.

Dragging petition papers to get on the March ballot, candidates for Cook County offices filled the hallway beneath the county’s administrative building early Monday.

Chicago Budget Director Annette Guzman, from left, listens as Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th, chair of the Budget Committee, leads a budget hearing in City Council chambers, Oct. 21, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Mayor Brandon Johnson faces complaints about property tax sweep plan to balance budget

October 26, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Allies and opponents of Mayor Brandon Johnson are voicing reservations about his idea to pull money out of tax-increment financing districts around the city.

Mayor Brandon Johnson delivers his budget address to the City Council on Oct. 16, 2025, at Chicago City Hall. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Digging in on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget plan, which counts on short-term fixes to plug hole

October 19, 2025 at 6:17 p.m.

Though it’s likely to go through tweaks as Mayor Brandon Johnson runs a gauntlet of aldermanic counter-proposals, here’s a look at the his budget by the numbers.

Dusk falls on the U.S. Capitol on March 5, 2025, in Washington. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Congressional candidates loan themselves large sums trying to stand out in competitive Illinois races

January 28, 2026 at 6:09 a.m.

See how candidates for Congress are doing in raising campaign cash in the four most-competitive districts in Illinois.

Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd, speaks with reporters Oct. 16, 2025, in City Council chambers after Mayor Brandon Johnson delivered his budget address at Chicago City Hall. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget plan met with applause, skepticism and hostility

October 16, 2025 at 6:20 p.m.

As Mayor Brandon Johnson highlighted his $16.6 billion 2026 budget plan, only staunch progressive allies consistently stood up to cheer on key measures.

Mayor Brandon Johnson delivers his budget address to the City Council on Oct. 16, 2025, at City Hall. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Mayor Brandon Johnson pitches head tax revival in 2026 budget he says targets the ‘ultra-rich’

October 16, 2025 at 8:57 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget plan avoids a property tax hike but adds a new charge on social media tech giants and a monthly $21-per-employee tax on larger companies.

Aldermen advance $15.5 million in settlements for police and Fire Department-related deaths

October 15, 2025 at 4:33 p.m.

An $8 million settlement to the family of Leonardo Guerrero, who died in 2022 in a Chicago Fire Department ambulance, passed with some minor opposition from aldermen.

Former President Barack Obama moderates a conversation with three leaders at the 2024 Democracy Forum at the Marriott Marquis in Chicago on Dec. 5, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Former President Barack Obama decries ‘politicization of the military’ by President Donald Trump

October 13, 2025 at 4:13 p.m.

Former President Barack Obama talked about whether America had descended into fascism or authoritarianism on the podcast “WTF,” hosted by standup comedian and actor Marc Maron.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presides over a board meeting after giving her 2026 budget speech in the Cook County boardroom on Oct. 9, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle unveils $10.1B election year budget, tapping reserves

October 9, 2025 at 5:50 p.m.

Toni Preckwinkle’s 2026 budget proposal does not include new taxes, fines or fees. It eliminates a $211 million shortfall thanks in large part to better-than-expected revenues.

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