Mark Glennon, founder and executive editor of Wirepoints.org, painted a grim picture of Illinois’ financial trajectory, focusing particularly on the state’s spiraling property taxes, unsustainable public spending, and a lack of political accountability.
The discussion centered around the City of Chicago’s projected $1 billion budget shortfall and the ripple effects hitting municipalities across Illinois. Chief among Glennon’s concerns is the relentless increase in property taxes, which he argues are steadily eroding the value of both residential and commercial real estate. According to Wirepoints data, Chicago’s property taxes have grown three times faster than inflation over the past decade, contributing to an exodus of residents and businesses and leaving large swaths of property vacant or underutilized, especially in areas like Chicago Heights.
Glennon also criticized the pending $7 billion increase in public safety pension contributions—legislation awaiting the governor’s signature—as another burden that will inevitably fall on taxpayers. He called it a stark example of how out-of-touch Springfield has become with fiscal realities, suggesting the move stunned even national media outlets accustomed to Illinois’ legislative excesses.
Turning to the Chicago Transit Authority, Glennon dismissed recent efforts to improve ridership—such as Mayor Brandon Johnson’s crackdown on smoking on trains—as unserious. With ridership still hovering at about two-thirds of pre-pandemic levels, Glennon said the CTA has refused to scale service and spending to match demand, contributing to mounting financial pressures.
He also took aim at the state’s ongoing flirtation with electric bus manufacturing. Glennon cited the recent bankruptcy of Lion Electric—a Canadian firm once championed by Governor J.B. Pritzker and recipient of state subsidies—as a cautionary tale. Lion’s collapse has left at least 2,300 electric school buses on American roads without access to warranty service or repairs. Despite that failure, Glennon noted that the Pritzker administration recently approved a new subsidy package for yet another Canadian electric bus manufacturer.
The interview concluded with criticism of political leaders’ personal financial practices, singling out Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates for reportedly failing to pay nearly $1,000 in overdue water and sanitation bills. Glennon pointed out the inconsistency between her six-figure salary and disregard for basic obligations, drawing a connection between private behavior and the management of public funds. He noted that Mayor Brandon Johnson had also faced similar criticisms in the past for unpaid bills.
The conversation underscored a broader theme: whether through property tax hikes, poorly vetted industrial subsidies, or personal financial irresponsibility, Illinoisans are left footing the bill. Glennon warned that unless meaningful reform occurs, the state’s current trajectory will continue to push residents and businesses out while degrading public trust in government institutions.