Evanston is using its additional revenue to fund a housing reparations effort. Meanwhile, Los Angeles’ new funds are frozen as the tax is challenged in court.
Alex Nitkin
Alex Nitkin is a government finance and accountability reporter conducting investigations on systemic problems and the public policies that are meant to fix them in Chicago, Cook County and Illinois government. Before joining Illinois Answers, he worked as a reporter and editor for The Daily Line covering Cook County and Chicago government. He previously worked at The Real Deal Chicago, where he covered local real estate news, and DNAinfo Chicago, where he worked as a breaking news reporter and then as a neighborhood reporter covering the city's Northwest Side. A New York native who grew up in Connecticut, Alex graduated Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism with a bachelor’s degree.
Posted inInvestigating Responses
Could Chicago Impose an Income Tax? Here’s What It Looks Like in Other Cities.
As Mayor Brandon Johnson looks for new revenue, an income tax may be one of the city’s only progressive options. It comes with risks.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
How Chicago’s Newest City Council Leaders Plan to Use Their Power – Part 2
From crowdsourcing legislation to hosting meetings in neighborhoods, the new class of City Council leaders wants to democratize committee work.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
How Chicago City Council’s Newest Leaders Want to Use Their Power
The new committee chairs, whose ideas were often ignored under the Lightfoot administration, are planning big policy moves for Chicago.
Posted inInvestigating Responses
How the ‘Most Equity-Centric’ Law on Weed Went Wrong – and Where Illinois Can Go from Here
Illinois is finally issuing new dispensary licenses. But after legislation failed last month, advocates say the state’s cannabis industry has a long way to go to achieve true social equity.
Posted inInvestigating Responses
A Popular Affordable Housing Initiative Is Ripe For Expansion in Chicago — But When?
City officials and multiple alderpeople agree the Additional Dwelling Unit program deserves a boost. But amid political and logistical hurdles, they warn it will take time.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Chicago Pension Reform Teed Up As Veto Session Priority
Mayor Brandon Johnson put the brakes on controversial pension legislation while other tax-related bills cleared the General Assembly
Posted inEquity & Economic Opportunity
Illinois Gender-Neutral Bathroom Bill Was Tip of the Iceberg for Trans-Inclusive Legislation Passed This Session
As anti-trans legislation piles up in red states, Springfield is looking to raise a ‘beacon’ for inclusiveness in the Midwest
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Mayor Brandon Johnson Says He’ll Reopen the City’s Mental Health Clinics. It Won’t Be As Easy as It Sounds.
The mayor’s top allies say beefing up the city’s direct mental health services will be a long-term project. That means new clinics won’t open overnight.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
A Pension ‘Fix’ Could Blow a Hole in City Budgets. Here’s Why Supporters Say It’s Worth It.
A group of bills moving through the legislature would balloon Chicago’s and Cook County’s pension benefits at a time when taxpayers are already being pressed.
