Illinois

2 Illinois cities have highest property taxes in country relative to home value, study says

Published

1 year ago

December 30, 2024

2 Illinois cities have highest property taxes in country relative to home value, study says

Peoria has the highest property taxes in the country relative to market value of homes, according to a study of 342 of the largest cities.

SmartAsset ranked cities based on the “median annual real estate taxes paid on owner-occupied homes with a mortgage relative to the median home value of such households.”

Peorians, according to the study, pay 2.64% of the value of their homes in annual property taxes, the highest mark in the country, according to the study based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 1-Year American Community Survey for 2023. The median amount spent in property taxes for owner-occupied homes was $4,455 a year and the median home value in Peoria was $168,900, according to SmartAsset.

Illinois had the top two cities on the list and four of the top eight. Rockford was No. 2. Homeowners there paid 2.46% of their home value in property taxes with a median of $3,452 in property taxes paid, according to the study. The median home value in Rockford was $140,300, according to the study.

The rest of the top five, based on the highest percentage of property taxes paid relative to home values, included: Waterbury, Connecticut (2.39%); Syracuse, New York (2.36%); and Albany, New York (2.34%).

Elgin was seventh with 2.23% of home value paid for real estate taxes, with $6,394 being the median amount for property taxes and $287,300 listed as the median home value. Aurora was eighth with 2.21% of home value paid in property taxes, with a median property tax amount of $6,310 and a median home value of $285,300.

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Illinois

Vanderbilt vs Illinois predictions, picks, odds for NCAA Tournament Second Round

Published

13 minutes ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Vanderbilt vs Illinois predictions, picks, odds for NCAA Tournament Second Round

The Second Round of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament continues Monday with a slate featuring No. 2 Vanderbilt vs. No. 7 Illinois on the eight-game schedule.

Here is the latest on Monday’s March Madness matchup, including expert picks from reporters across the USA TODAY Sports Network.

USA TODAY Sports has a team of journalists covering the women’s NCAA Tournament to keep you up to date with every point scored, rebound grabbed and game won in the 68-team tournament.

USA TODAY Studio IX : Check out our women’s sports hub for in-depth analysis, commentary and more

Join the USA TODAY $1 million Bracket Challenge

No. 2 Vanderbilt vs No. 7 Illinois prediction

Heather Burns: Vanderbilt
Mitchell Northam: Vanderbilt
Nancy Armour: Vanderbilt
Cydney Henderson: Vanderbilt
Meghan Hall: Vanderbilt

No. 2 Vanderbilt vs No. 7 Illinois odds

Opening Moneyline: Vanderbilt (-1000)
Opening Spread: Vanderbilt (-13.5)
Opening Total: 153.5

How to Watch Vanderbilt vs Illinois on Monday

No. 2 Vanderbilt takes on No. 7 Illinois at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville on March 23 at 7:00 p.m. (ET). The game is airing on ESPN2.

Stream March Madness on Fubo

2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament full schedule

March 18-19: First Four
March 20-21: First Round
March 22-23: Second Round
March 27-28: Sweet 16
March 29-30: Elite 8
April 3: Final Four
April 5: National Championship

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Illinois

Illinois Secretary of State’s Office warns of ‘new surge’ in scam texts

Published

12 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Illinois Secretary of State’s Office warns of ‘new surge’ in scam texts

The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office is warning residents of a “new surge” in scam texts claiming to be from the DMV and demanding money.

According to a press release from Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, residents are receiving text messages falsely claiming to either be from his office or a DMV, threatening suspension of license and vehicle registration if “fines” are not paid.

The messages often include links that can be used to steal residents’ information, and Giannoulias’ office is reminding residents to use vigilance and caution when receiving such messages.

“These text messages look legitimate and are designed to frighten people into acting quickly before they have time to think,” Giannoulias said. “Our office will never send a text message demanding payment or threatening to suspend someone’s license. If you receive a message like this, remember it’s a scam – plain and simple. Do not click the link and please report the message to scamalert@ilsos.gov.”

According to his office, the messages often reference fake regulations or deadlines, and cite an upcoming enforcement date to add an air of urgency to the texts.

“These schemes are designed to create panic and trick individuals into surrendering money or personal information,” the Secretary of State’s Office said.

If a motorist receives a text, they are urged:

-NEVER to click a link

-Do not reply

-Do not provide personal information

-Forward the message to the SOS’ scam alert email.

The only legitimate text messages the Secretary of State’s Office sends are to remind motorists of upcoming appointments at DMV facilities.

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