The Home Front

By Don DeBat As the old saying goes, everyone suffers two inescapable maladies in life—taxes and death. However, when the problem is Cook County property taxes, the adage should include a few other words: “tax abuse, errors, and bureaucratic red tape” Cook County Treasurer, Maria Pappas (above) According to the latest tax-bill analysis by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, homeowners face a sharper increase in property taxes this year compared to businesses—a result of home

By Don DeBat Financially squeezed homeowners in Chicago and across Illinois finally can look forward to some relief on soaring property insurance costs thanks to a new consumer-oriented law recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The legislation, which took years to pass, hit on a theme Democrats, who control the General Assembly, have been focused on in this election year. It is a top Democratic priority to pass bills that make goods and services more affordable for

Northerly Island, Chicago, IL (above) By Don DeBat Second of two articles on the future of softball on Chicago’s lakefront. It appears that “Chicago’s Game,” 16-inch slow pitch softball, is officially dead at Grant Park after anchoring the historic lakefront location for nearly 100 years. Following the four-day and night “Lollapalooza” concert event, Grant Park’s cherished softball diamonds were trampled into utter destruction by a total of 400,000-plus concert attendees. Whe

(Above) A side-by-side comparison of Wacker House shows recent alterations to the front staircase (left) versus the home’s restored original woodwork in 2001 (right). Click on image to view larger version. (Photos by Don DeBat and Paul McGrath) The 150-year-old Wacker House at 1838 North Lincoln Park West, an iconic Swiss chalet Victorian landmark, is undergoing severe alterations that have drawn outrage from preservationists and neighborhood leaders. By Don DeBat Old Town’s

Bird’s-eye view of the aftermath of Lollapalooza concert after one memorable weekend in Chicago’s 2026 summer festival season. Chicago Sun-Times photo. By Don DeBat First of two articles on the future of softball on Chicago’s lakefront. While Rock music blasted from multiple stages during the recent epic “Lollapalooza” event, Grant Park’s historic and cherished 16-inch softball diamonds were trampled into utter destruction. Was this the final toll of the death knell for Grant

By Don DeBat There is a sweeping regulatory movement underway, pushed by Mayor Brandon Johnson—an avowed Democratic Socialist—to take private property rights away from landlords, and give excessive protection to renters. An estimated 54% of Chicago’s residents—some 600,000 people-are apartment renters, according to the City of Chicago, so Mayor Johnson, who is up for reelection next spring against at least a half-dozen opponents, obviously needs votes. Chicago currently has