From Capitol News Illinois: The blame game comes after Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas released a report that found property taxes in the state’s largest county have grown faster than inflation and wage growth over the past 30 years

The vote on the 80-acre Meyer data center is now likely to be at the next Yorkville City Council meeting. A zoning commission unanimously voted against the project before changes were made.

The city of Yorkville approved the 540-acre Project Steel data center, with 16, two-story warehouses. The approval came after hours of residents urging the city to slow down approval for data centers.

Dixon, Freeport and Sterling also currently have Main Street programs.

The city of Yorkville has two more large data center projects being proposed. Up for votes on Tuesday is the 540-acre Project Steel and the Meyer data center.

Engineering Enterprises Inc., of Sugar Grove, is requesting a 5% per hour rate increase. EEI is the main engineering firm Yorkville partners with when awarding contracts for engineering services on infrastructure projects.

A resident’s lawsuit filed against the city of Yorkville to halt the 1,037 acre Project Cardinal data center is heading closer to a settlement. The final agreement between the attorneys is subject to approval by City Council.

Dixon Public Schools' administrators received board approval Wednesday for their $3.2 million, multi-year plan to upgrade the high school’s outdoor athletic facilities.

Woodstock wants to make sure its 5% hotel-motel tax applies to short-term vacation rentals in town operated through sites like Airbnb.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority Access Home program provides eligible homebuyers with up to $15,000 for assistance on a 30-year, fixed rate mortgage on existing homes and new construction.

Unofficial final numbers show voters in Yorkville school district rejected the $275 million bond proposal by a two-to-one margin.

Sublette Fire Protection District voters on a 143-90 vote Tuesday approved a ballot measure to bring in more tax revenue to cover ambulance service costs.

With votes still being tallied, it’s looking like residents are saying no to the $275 million bond referendum from Yorkville School District 115 for new and expanded facilities.

With all precincts reported, Democratic candidate Brenda Rodgers is likely to win her party’s nomination for Kane County Clerk. The winner of the March 17 primary election will go on to challenge incumbent Republican John “Jack” Cunningham, who ran unopposed.

With all precincts reported, Democrat Penny Wegman is likely to win the party’s nomination for Kane County Treasurer to challenge incumbent Republican Chris Lauzen in November, if unofficial results hold.

With early voting already underway, residents are heading to the polls to cast their decision on the $275 million Yorkville School District 115 referendum. Here's what voters need to know.

From Capitol News Illinois: Chicago’s new 10.25% tax on sports bets is facing bipartisan pushback in the Illinois General Assembly as lawmakers support bills that would block Chicago and other municipalities from setting their own sports wagering taxes

Sublette Fire Department's members and board are hoping voters will approve a tax referendum Tuesday to properly staff their new ambulance and answer every ambulance call.

McHenry County College is hosting free tax assistance and e-filing of federal and state returns for qualified individuals with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Clinic through April 15.

The Yorkville City Council voted at 12:51 a.m. Wednesday in favor of a 1,037-acre project the city says will redefine the town’s future.

The Campton Hills Joint Review Board this week backed a proposed $90 million TIF for 583 acres of the LaFox of Campton Hills project which includes 900 homes. A final vote is still needed. The Geneva Park District and Library board representatives opposed it.

The property assessment equalization factor, commonly called the “multiplier,” is used to ensure uniform property assessments among Illinois counties, as required by state law.

McHenry County officials say a sales tax brought in to fund the McHenry county Mental Health Board brought in more revenues than what the board got from property taxes.

The developers of the Project Steel and Project Cardinal data center projects in Yorkville submitted up-front checks following the mayor's request. The vote is Monday on Project Steel and the $275 million school referendum remains on March 17 ballot.

From Capitol News Illinois: Illinois municipal leaders are calling on state lawmakers to increase the amount of income tax revenue that is distributed to local governments.

The Joliet Plan Commission votes Thursday on the plan for a 795-acre data center, and the City Council will follow on March 16. Residents continue to question the development.

Fox River Grove residents will now have zero permit fees for “basic” building projects, as part of a move to lessen resident costs after the village board implemented a 1% sales tax last year.

Ogle County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue.

Yorkville city administrator Bart Olson said as the city has grown, the tax burden has shifted from commercial and industrial to residential. “Which isn’t good, that’s not something we want," he said.

City records show Joliet tallied $838,018 in legal costs to fight lawsuits from the former mayor that failed in court, as well as a lawsuit from former City Council member that remains ongoing.

Jennifer Abbatacola: I do not support limiting lawful federal immigration enforcement on county property, and I do not support the Illinois TRUST Act as currently written. Read Abbatacola's full election questionnaire here

Entering the final leg before residents decide a $275 million referendum for new school buildings, the Yorkville 115 Superintendent made his pitch to City Council calling the district’s facilities “unsustainable.”

Candidates running in the March primary for Kane County Board have competing philosophies on how to close the county's budget gap, according to their election questionnaires

The Land Bank now has seven properties moved from abandonment or foreclosure to the open market.

A tariff is a tax levied on imported goods. Reports estimate tariffs put in by the Trump administration have cost the average American household at least $1,000 over the past year. What happens now that the Supreme Court has struck down a wide swath of the tariffs?

Jeffrey Magnussen: The County should support law enforcement actions including ICE. I do not understand why we would make it harder for law enforcement to remove illegal, law breaking individuals. Read Magnussen's full election questionnaire here

The Rock Falls City Council will vote March 3 on an ordinance that would increase annual liquor license fees for bars in which primary revenue comes from gaming machines.

From Capitol News Illinois: Gov. JB Pritzker is proposing a $56 billion budget for fiscal year 2027 with minimal new spending. Pritzker’s plan does not include major new taxes but would create a new tax on social media companies

The St. Charles School District 303 will host a ceremonial groundbreaking on Thursday for new classrooms and building renovations at Richmond Elementary School, $6.35 million in the making.

Eliminating income taxes on young people, encouraging companies to hire more Americans, and slashing regulations are among the solutions to affordability problems proposed by some Republicans running for U.S. Senate.

William Pratt on top priorities in Will County: I’ll work to stop unnecessary tax increases and keep property taxes under control by reining in waste, demanding accountability, and living within our means

Do you understand and know how your real estate taxes are calculated in Whiteside County and where your tax money goes? An informational meeting, “Property Tax 101”, will take you through the Illinois tax cycle from start to finish.

Gov. JB Pritzker will present his eighth budget on Wednesday and outline a plan to deal with limited revenue growth and significant uncertainty over the future of federal funding for the state

The property assessment equalization factor, commonly called the “multiplier,” is used to ensure uniform property assessments among Illinois counties, as required by state law.

The City Council on Wednesday passed all measures needed for Yorkville School District 115 to continue developing plans for the property, west of the current high school campus and north of River Road.

The developers of the CyrusOne data center have reduced the plan to eight warehouses totaling 2.1 million square feet and downsized the substation by half its original size.

Ted Dabrowski: Criminals are prioritized over victims under the Democratic Party’s failed policies. Gov. Pritzker’s SAFE-T Act allows repeat felons to roam the streets freely while awaiting trial. As governor, I would fight to repeal the SAFE-T Act in its entirety.

Neil Khot: There are serious concerns that warrant congressional investigation, including potential ethics violations, failures to comply with court orders, and unconstitutional actions by ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies. Read Khot's full election questionnaire

When it comes to growth in Bradley, one need look no further than its sales taxes.

Nolan Kemp on a top priority for the Illinois General Assembly: Protecting civil liberties — defending constitutional rights, privacy, and due process, and standing up for people when government overreaches. Read Kemp's full election questionnaire here