Good afternoon, Chicago.
Historic property tax increases will hit south suburban homeowners’ mailboxes in the coming weeks, according to a new analysis from the Cook County treasurer’s office that found median tax bills there are rising by 19.9% compared with last year, the largest jump in the last 29 years.
According to the report, more than 327,500 suburban homeowners who live south of North Avenue will see higher bills this year. About 107,000 south suburban homeowners will see lower bills.
In Park Forest, where the median bill is up by $2,567 to $7,152, Mayor Joseph Woods called the increases a “catastrophe” for homeowners and said the village is working to influence policy changes at the county and state levels while seeking out grant funding to avoid having to levy more taxes at the village level.
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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Matteson orders mandatory evacuation after train derailment
The village of Matteson ordered a mandatory evacuation for residents of the Historic Matteson Main Street Thursday following a freight train derailment at Main Street and 217th Street.
Matteson spokesperson Sean Howard said responders noticed a white, powdery substance leaking from one of the freight cars. Because many of the cars were carrying chemical substances, Howard said officials ordered the evacuation as a precaution in case of a fire. Read more here.
More top news stories:
Supreme Court halts enforcement of the EPA’s plan to limit downwind pollution from power plants
The justices in a 5-4 vote on Thursday rejected arguments by the Biden administration and Democratic-controlled states that the plan was cutting air pollution and saving lives in 11 states where it was being enforced and that the high court’s intervention was unwarranted. Read more here.
More decisions announced today:
Column: Pedro Grifol and Craig Counsell are trying to manage the media — and their sanity — amid all the baseball angst
After every new loss of the 2024 season, Chicago baseball fans flock to social media to remind Pedro Grifol and Craig Counsell how bad they are at their jobs. It’s an occupational hazard for any manager but particularly so in a town with so many passionate fans during a season of so much angst. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
Review: ‘Zac Efron,’ about a pair of gay Asian Americans, is a very funny debut for Token Theatre
Token Theatre, a new Chicago company that aims to “humanize Asian Americans and foster an environment that recognizes us as Americans,” started out during the pandemic and found itself working only online. Last week, though, Token made its live debut with a very, very funny little show. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
How the Biden-Trump debate could change the trajectory of the 2024 campaign
President Joe Biden and his Republican rival, Donald Trump, will meet for a debate tonight that offers an unparalleled opportunity for both candidates to try to reshape the political narrative. Read more here.
More debate coverage:
