By, LyLena Estabine
Illinois Policy, May 26, 2026
Many school districts cover teachers’ required pension contribution of 9% of their salary — putting that burden on taxpayers.
A growing number of school districts pay all or part of teachers’ pension contributions, raising property taxes for Illinoisans who fund that benefit and may not even realize it.
By Jamie Gold, Forbes
Building, design and real estate experts often disagree on particular trends, but what most say they’re seeing is ongoing and growing consumer interest in wellness design. As one industry analyst told me several years ago, “No one wants a house that will kill them.” Consumer concerns have evolved into expectations of new technologies, healthier products and health-enhancing spaces, both physical and mental, in their homes. Here are six that are considered likely to show up in real estate listings and remodeling projects for 2026.
April 1, 2026 Capitol News Illinois
Report finds Cook County property taxes outpacing inflation, wage growth
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Republicans says Democratic policies are to blame for rising property taxes in the state after Gov. JB Pritzker said earlier this week school districts bear part of the responsibility.
Written by Ron Kingsley, LCA Tax Attorney and Owner
Written by Ron Kingsley
LCA Tax Attorney and Owner
In general, I have found that Lake County Appeal's clients are aware of one of the two most common grounds for property tax appeals in Lake County: one based on comparables sales ("comparable sales appeals"), and one based on equality of assessment ("uniformity of assessment appeals"). However, they are often unaware that either (or both) can be grounds for a property tax appeal.
Comparable Sales Appeals
By Dan DiClerico,
Good Housekeeping, Mar 26, 2026
Spring is in the air, which means peak home-selling season is right around the corner. It’s shaping up to be a buyer’s market in 2026, with the number of homes on the market outpacing the number of buyers by nearly 50 percent, according to the latest data from Redfin, the real estate brokerage and website.
LyLena Estabine, Senior Policy Analyst
Illinois Policy Institute, April 13, 2026
The governor pins the issue on local governments, but state law and decisions contribute to the problem.
J.B. Pritzker isn’t as innocent as he wants us to think when it comes to Illinois’ property tax woes.
By: Realtor.com
The dog days of summer are barking and Labor Day is just around the bend, signaling the end of yet another epic season in the sun. But before you give your flamingo pool float one last hurrah, take a break with some home maintenance prep for the changing season ahead.
We know what you’re thinking: It’s still summer, and you’re being a buzzkill! Why worry now about what you can do next month? Well, as it turns out, some home maintenance tasks are best tackled in August, before temperatures start dipping.
Written by Ron Kingsley, LCA Tax Attorney and Owner
Written by Ron Kingsley, LCA Tax Attorney and Owner