Columbus religious leaders organize walk in the Short North after recent violence

A new analysis from the Cook County Treasurer’s Office found median tax bills countywide are rising by 19.9% compared to last year, the largest jump in the last 29 years.

The violent crime rate in the U.S. fell for two years in a row after an increase in 2020, according to annual estimates from the FBI. After spiking by close to 30%, data also indicates the homicide rate was down by about 3% in 2022 compared with that first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is projecting a $218 million budget gap next year, largely driven by raises she granted to county employees and the resulting growth in needed