West Cook News

9 West Suburbs nursing homes designated subpar in federal ranking

By LGIS Newsfeed | May 22, 2019

Nine nursing homes in West Suburbs received below-average scores from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) after the federal agency updated its nursing home rating system for consumers in April.

West Suburbs educators oppose Illinois school efficiency bill

By LGIS Newsfeed | May 16, 2019

More than 130 Illinois public school administrators who signed witness slips in opposition to a bipartisan bill that aims to consolidate Illinois school districts make six-figure salaries, according to an analysis compiled this week.

Alden Manor Rehab hit with health violations

By LGIS Newsfeed | May 3, 2019

Alden Manor Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, a 249-bed skilled care facility in Cicero, was cited by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for violations of the Nursing Home Care Act in the fourth quarter of 2018.

From Prairie State Wire

Analysis: Illinois’ state and local tax burden is highest in U.S.

By LGIS Newsfeed | 5 years ago

Illinois’ state and local effective tax rate ranks the highest in the nation, according to a new study of tax burdens imposed by the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

From North Cook News

Analysis: Cook County has 7th highest home vacancy rate among Illinois counties.

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

The number of vacant homes in Cook County was more than 25,000 in the third quarter of 2018, a 692-unit increase over what it was a year ago, according to real estate numbers reported by ATTOM Data Solutions.

From Chambana Sun

University of Illinois freezes tuition – but still higher than 12 of 13 Big 10 conference peers

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

In-state tuition and book costs for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will continue to be among the highest for schools in the Big 10 conference, despite the UI Board of Trustees' vote on Thursday to extend an in-state tuition freeze for the fifth-straight year.

Alden Town Manor hit with health violations

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jan 30, 2019

Alden Town Manor, a 249-bed skilled care center in Cicero, was cited by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for violations of the Nursing Home Care Act in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Analysis ranks Dominican University athletes No. 58 in Illinois for economic impact

By LGIS Newsfeed | Jan 20, 2019

Dominican University sports programs brought in $7,895 per athlete in revenue in 2016, meaning its athletes on average generated the 58th highest sports revenue of any school in Illinois that year, according to a West Cook News analysis of U.S. Department of Education data.

Dominican University has 41st highest number of student athletes in Illinois

By LGIS Newsfeed | Dec 28, 2018

Dominican University ranked No. 41 for student athletic participation in the state, according to a West Cook News analysis of college sports participation.

Triton College lowest in state for revenue per wrestler

By LGIS Newsfeed | Dec 22, 2018

Triton College wrestling brought in $1,584 per athlete in revenue in 2016, the lowest level for wrestling programs in Illinois that year, according to a West Cook News analysis of U.S. Department of Education data.

From North Cook News

Cook had highest abortion rate among largest Illinois counties in 2017

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

In a list of the 30 most populous counties in Illinois, Cook County ranked No. 1 for the rate of abortions performed there in 2017, according to an Illinois Department of Public Health report issued in December, which tracks abortions performed on an annual basis.

From North Cook News

State report: 39K+ abortions performed in Illinois in 2017

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

Cook County accounted for 21,288 of the 39,329 abortions performed statewide in 2017, according to an Illinois Department of Public Health report issued in December, which tracks abortions performed on an annual basis.

Analysis: Dominican University posts 30th highest gender pay gap for head coaches in Illinois

By LGIS Newsfeed | Nov 19, 2018

Men’s head coach salaries at Dominican University outpace women’s team coaches by 21 percent, according to a West Cook News analysis of recent U.S. Department of Education data.

Morton College No. 50 among Illinois colleges for volleyball revenues

By LGIS Newsfeed | Nov 19, 2018

Morton College volleyball brought in $6,570 per athlete in revenue in 2016, making it among the highest-grossing volleyball programs in Illinois that year, according to a West Cook News analysis of U.S. Department of Education data.

From Prairie State Wire

Illinois gets below-average marks on financial transparency

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

Illinois received a score of 72 on making key financial information accessible and understandable to the public, according to a new report from Truth in Accounting (TIA), a Chicago-based policy institute.

From Prairie State Wire

2018 election night preview: More competitive races now in play than in 2014

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

Unlike the dynamic four years ago, a majority of the Illinois House races – 56 percent – will be competitive contests pitting major party candidates during the Nov. 6 midterm election.

From Prairie State Wire

Student academic performance looks mostly static on new Illinois Report Card

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

An annual Illinois assessment of student, school and school district performance labels more than 77 percent of K-12 schools as exemplary or commendable, even though students' academic test results appear static and sub-par in many instances

From Prairie State Wire

State House election preview: Candidates square off in 66 of 118 midterm races

By LGIS Newsfeed | 6 years ago

The number of Illinois House races being contested by major-party candidates on Nov. 6 is up 13.6 percent over the last midterm election in 2014, according to a Prairie State Wire analysis.

Analysis: Elmwood Park pays property taxes nearly two times national average

By LGIS Newsfeed | Oct 30, 2018

Property owners in Elmwood Park paid nearly 2.2 percent of the value of their homes in taxes last year. That’s nearly two times the national average, according to an LGIS analysis of real estate sales data in the West Suburbs from Jan 1. to June 30.

2018 West Cook Property Tax Report: Maywood, Countryside, River Grove paying top effective rates

By LGIS Newsfeed | Oct 29, 2018

In November 2016, Jasmine and Jeremias Lopez paid $175,000 – $183,038 in today's dollars – for a six-bedroom, 3 bath at 629 South 16th Ave. in Maywood. The home's 2016 property taxes were $5,559, an effective rate then of nearly 3.2 percent.