Chicago residents being ‘taxed for prosperity’ as bills soar with little return
Chicago homeowners are asking for answers as property tax bills continue to climb, with several residents saying they’ve seen little improvement in return.
In Lawndale, a neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side, residents told ABC7 Chicago that despite higher property tax bills, little has changed on their streets, leaving them frustrated over where their money is going. Community leaders and the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation gathered citizens at a local church for what they called a “property tax bonfire,” the local station reported.
“There’s been a divestment in this community for the most part, but it seems like now that people have found an interest in reclaiming the neighborhood, now it’s like we’re being taxed for prosperity,” Lawndale resident Milton Clayton told the outlet.
RECORDS REVEAL CHICAGO MAYOR’S ‘GIFT ROOM’ WAS CONSTRUCTED AFTER INVESTIGATORS TURNED AWAY
Thomas Worthy, another Lawndale resident, said he received a bill in mid-November that was $977 more than what he paid last year.
“The tax increase is tied to a TIF that I have no idea why,” Worthy said. “It’s collecting money from our neighbors and our streets, but we’re not being notified for why it’s in the bill.”
A TIF, or tax increment financing, is a funding tool that uses the increase in property tax revenue within a designated area to fund local redevelopment and infrastructure projects, according to the City of Chicago’s government website.
“We understand utilities are going up and things of that nature, but it’s a valuation issue,” Worthy added. “We don’t have the schools we need. It’s economics that are not here, but we’re being charged to pay for economics in other people’s communities.”
CHICAGO MAYOR SAYS APPLICANTS FOR FLOOD RELIEF NEED NOT REVEAL IF THEY’RE IN THE US ILLEGALLY
The Illinois Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research organization, found more than half of a Chicago homeowners’ property tax bill goes to Chicago Public Schools.
“Illinoisans pay the second-highest property tax rate in the U.S., shelling out about 2.07% of their property’s value each year. That’s more than double the national rate,” the organization noted. “It’s even worse in Cook and the collar counties. Cook County in 2022 ranked among the nation’s 100 most expensive for property taxes, with property taxpayers spending more than the typical homeowners in California’s Orange County, Los Angeles County or San Diego County.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is facing pushback from City Council members over his proposal to extract a record $1 billion from TIF districts to balance his $16 billion 2026 budget, The Chicago Tribune reported in late October.
The proposal would draw funds from 68 of the city’s 108 TIF districts, including several on the South and West Sides, raising concerns among aldermen about potential delays in long-promised neighborhood improvements.
PARENTS BLAST BLUE STATE GOVERNOR FOR EXTENDING STUDENT FINANCIAL AID TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
Supporters say the move would shore up city finances and boost school funding.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said at a Chicago Rainbow PUSH Coalition event Saturday that homeowners can find property tax bill payment plans for up to 13 months.
“You do not have to pay your bill on Dec. 15,” she told residents. “You hear that? You don’t have to pay it. Let me tell you why. We went to Springfield last year and set up a payment plan.”
Rep Greene apologizes for taking part in ‘toxic politics’ after Trump attacks
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., apologized for taking part in “toxic politics” during a CNN interview on Sunday, when pressed on her speaking out against threats levied against her in the wake of her feud with President Donald Trump.
“Obviously, any threats to your safety are completely unacceptable, but we have seen these kinds of attacks or criticism from the president at other people. It‘s not new. And with respect, I haven‘t heard you speak out about it until it was directed at you,” CNN host Dana Bash said during “State of the Union.”
Greene said the criticism was “fair.”
Greene posted to social media on Saturday about threats and wrote, “I am now being contacted by private security firms with warnings for my safety as a hot bed of threats against me are being fueled and egged on by the most powerful man in the world.”
MARJORIE GREENE SAYS TRUMP’S ‘TRAITOR’ LABEL COULD PUT HER LIFE IN DANGER
Greene then apologized and said toxic politics were very bad for the country.
“I would like to say humbly, I‘m sorry for taking part in the toxic politics. It’s very bad for our country, and it’s been something I’ve thought about a lot, especially since Charlie Kirk was assassinated, is that we, I’m only responsible for myself and my own words and actions, and I am committed, and I’ve been working on this a lot lately to put down the knives in politics,” she said.
She said she wanted to see people be kind to one another, and added that Americans have more in common than they have differences.
MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE SAYS SHE HOPES TO ‘MAKE UP’ WITH TRUMP AMID ONGOING FEUD
Bash pointed to specific examples, including “the Facebook post that was taken down of you in 2020, holding a gun alongside the Squad, encouraging people to go on the offense against the socialists, liking a tweet of somebody calling for the execution of Nancy Pelosi and former President Obama.”
“I addressed that back in 2021, and of course, I never want to cause any harm or anything bad for anyone, so that that was addressed back then. And I very much stand by my words. I said then and I stand by my words today. I think America needs to come together and end all the toxic, dangerous rhetoric and divide. And I‘m leading the way with my own example. And I hope that President Trump can do the same,” Greene responded.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Trump called Greene a “traitor” on Saturday and also announced he was dropping his endorsement of her.
The Republican lawmaker has been a vocal supporter of the president since she entered Congress, but has broken with him on the release of the Epstein files, and some of his administration’s foreign policy.
Payton’s sideline blunder costs Broncos as official collision leads to costly penalty
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton was the culprit for a penalty called on the team in the third quarter of their game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Broncos bench was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty as Payton was on the white stripe of the sideline when an NFL official collided with him. The collision occurred after Broncos defensive back Ja’Quan McMillian intercepted Patrick Mahomes.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
The down judge didn’t appear to see Payton when the two collided. He got back up and threw the flag on Payton. It didn’t appear that either man was hurt during the play.
The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was one of two penalties called after McMillian intercepted Mahomes’ pass. Kansas City accepted an illegal blindside block penalty that was also called on Denver.
The Broncos didn’t appear to be bothered by the flag. Quarterback Bo Nix led the Broncos on an 11-play, 89-yard touchdown drive after the turnover. Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin ran for a 4-yard touchdown to take the lead.
CHIEFS’ TRAVIS KELCE HAS WORDS WITH BRONCOS DEFENDER DURING PIVOTAL DIVISIONAL MATCHUP
Kansas City tied the game on its subsequent drive. Running back Kareem Hunt was pushed into the end zone on a 2-yard score.
Both teams were in search of a victory in their pivotal AFC West matchup.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The Broncos would keep their stranglehold on the division lead with the win. The Chiefs would stay in the hunt for the playoffs with a win.
Eddie Murphy reveals wild proposition from Hollywood legend at Studio 54
Throughout his career, Eddie Murphy has had some memorable celebrity run-ins.
In Netflix’s documentary, “Being Eddie,” the actor and comedian, 64, recalled a sexual proposition from Yul Brynner that has stayed with him all these years.
“My 21st birthday party, I had at Studio 54,’” Murphy recalled. “Yul Brynner, ‘Ten Commandments,’ he was with his wife and he was like, ‘How would you like to go back to my apartment with my wife and I and party?’ And I was like, ‘Nah, I’m cool!’ And I realized as I got older, his wife was smiling. Did he want me to go f— his wife?”
“The story would [have] ended better,” he added. “You know, ‘Yeah, I went back to Yul Brynner’s and f—ed his wife, and he was watching me going, ‘Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!’”
EDDIE MURPHY SOUNDS OFF ON ‘FAKE’ HOLLYWOOD AND WHY HE THINKS HE’S BEEN OVERLOOKED BY THE OSCARS
Brynner died in 1985 after a battle with lung cancer.
Ahead of the documentary’s release, Murphy also sounded off about ‘fake’ Hollywood and explained why he thinks he’s been overlooked by the Oscars.
“That’s one of the reasons why I don’t go to award shows and stuff, the feeling of being in a room full of famous people who all want to win some trophy, that feeling is such a s—ty feeling,” he told USA Today. “Everybody’s dressed and acting and fake … just being in a room full of famous people is just a weird — I don’t like it.”
“ I’ve always liked to stay around the house,” Murphy continued. “The people I know that do stand-up comedy … they do it because they love it. They love it. They get something from getting on that stage and feeling the energy and all, and I’m the exact opposite.”
“My batteries get recharged in a quiet setting when I’m at home, or I’m somewhere where everything can slow down, that’s where I get energized,” he added. “The crowd saps my energy.”
Throughout his career, he’s played every role under the sun — an older woman in “The Nutty Professor,” a donkey in “Shrek,” a veterinarian who talks to animals in “Dr. Dolittle,” a Jewish man in “Coming to America” and so much more. From helping redefine stand-up comedy in modern society to paving the way for Black leading actors in Hollywood, Murphy has devoted his life to show business and the silver screen.
EDDIE MURPHY SAYS SURVIVING FAME WITH HIS ‘SANITY’ INTACT IS HIS PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT
Yet, he’s never won an Oscar.
Murphy, who kickstarted his career as a stand-up comedian when he was 15 years old, got his breakthrough role on “Saturday Night Live” in the 1980s. Over the next few years, he landed leading roles in various films including “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Boomerang,” “Harlem Nights,” “Coming to America” and more.
By the late ‘80s and early ’90s, Murphy had achieved megastar status and was well on his way to becoming one of Hollywood’s all-time greats.
“I wanted to be funny as Richard [Pryor]. I wanted to be cool like Elvis [Presley]. And I wanted to be as big as The Beatles,” he said in the documentary.
Reginald Hudlin, a film producer and director, said Murphy had a mission.
“One of the quiet agendas that Eddie has is, ‘Hey, Black people haven’t had a movie like that. There hadn’t been a Black romantic comedy before. We need to do that so other people can do that, and if I can use my clout to open that door, that’s a good thing.'”
“Because we showed Black life in a way that had never been put on screen before, there were these really extreme reactions,” Hudlin said. “Hollywood back then and to this day. There’s a lot of negative forces. Black movie stars always had to break through all these obstacles, but those obstacles were the default.”
While presenting an award during the 67th annual Academy Awards in 1995, Murphy called out the Academy for not recognizing Black talent.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
“When they came to me, and they said they wanted me to present the award for Best Picture, my manager came to me and told me that the Academy had picked me,” Murphy told the crowd. “My first reaction was to say, ‘No, I ain’t going.’ And my manager said, ‘Why?’ And I said, ‘I’m not going because they haven’t recognized Black people in motion pictures.’ And he said, ‘What are you talking about? Black people win Oscars.’”
“I’ll probably never win an Oscar for saying this, but hey, what the hey,” he said. “Actually I might not get in any trouble because the way it’s been going, about every 20 years we’ve been getting one, so we ain’t due until about 2004. By that time, this will all blow over.”
“I just want you to know I’m going to give this award, but Black people will not ride the caboose of society, and we will not bring up the rear anymore. I want you to recognize us.’ They said, ‘Well fine, it’s done.’ I said, ‘When do I have to be there?’ He said, ‘Well, you don’t have to get there until about nine or 10. It’s the last award of the evening.'”
Murphy later suggested his remarks may be the reason he’s never been awarded an Oscar.
EDDIE MURPHY TURNED DOWN DRUGS WITH ROBIN WILLIAMS AND JOHN BELUSHI: ‘GOD WAS LOOKING OVER ME’
“The next day, it was like I didn’t say anything,” Murphy recalled in the documentary. “There were no pictures of me at the Oscars. There was no coverage of me. There was no mention that I said that. It was like I wasn’t at the Oscars and I haven’t gotten an Oscar. I haven’t gotten an Oscar, man. I’ve done everything. I’ve played everything.”
“I’ve done everything, and I’ve never gotten an Oscar, but I don’t think it’s because of that,” Murphy added with a smirk.
“I think I’m in a transitional period as a comedian,” he said in the documentary. “I feel like there are other things that I want to do, and I don’t want to do things that I’ve done before, and I want to do different types of movies and exploring where I am in this part of my life because so much has happened to me in the last couple of years between marriage and kids and personal life.”
Murphy is a father to ten children from various relationships. He and his wife, Paige Butcher, married in 2024 and share two children together.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“My kids are the center of everything,” he said. “Before kids, it’s just about you, and once you have kids, it’s all about that.”
Former NFL captain offers stark NYC warning after Jets player is wounded in shooting
Jack Brewer, a former special teams captain with the Minnesota Vikings, reacted to the shooting that reportedly left New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd wounded on Sunday morning.
Brewer told Fox News Digital that he was “praying” for Boyd’s recovery and that NFL teams should make sure their players aren’t out past midnight in a “lawless city.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“Today, New York City is even more lawless,” Brewer said. “With upcoming leaders who are openly anti-police and anti-law-and-order, the direction of that city is only going to get worse. In fact, (if) I were coaching there right now, I’d write it into every contract: you’re personally liable for anything that happens after midnight, and your deal is terminated if you break curfew.
“Teams invest millions into these athletes, they’ve got no business being around in the middle of the night in a lawless city.”
Brewer drew on his own experience playing for the New York Giants to express that he knows that danger lurks once the night gets later.
“I played for the New York Giants, and just like these Jets players, I was out in New York City late at night,” he added. “I’ve been in those clubs at 2 a.m. I know exactly what happens; fights, shootings, and chaos. You understand the environment before you even walk through the door.
JETS’ KRIS BOYD IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER BEING WOUNDED IN NEW YORK CITY SHOOTING: REPORTS
“Now, looking back as a retired player, I can say with absolute confidence that none of us had any business being out around 2 a.m. Every college and pro coach drills the same message into their players’ heads, nothing good happens after midnight.”
Brewer was in the NFL from 2002 to 2005 with the Vikings, Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.
The incident occurred in Midtown Manhattan around 2 a.m. ET, the NYPD said.
Boyd was the victim in the shooting, sources told the New York Post. The Jets later released a statement on the matter.
“We are aware of the situation involving Kris Boyd and will have no further comment at this time,” the team told Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Boyd was described as being in critical but stable condition, according to ESPN.
It’s Boyd’s first season with the Jets. He’s been on the injured reserve since August.
Fox News’ Chantz Martin contributed to this report.
Lions receiver pays price for actions referees missed during game vs Commanders
Amon-Ra St. Brown’s wallet will soon be slightly lighter.
The NFL ordered the Detroit Lions wide receiver to pay a $12,172 fine for his role in a Week 10 in-game altercation, according to NFL Network. St. Brown appeared to hit Washington Commanders defensive lineman Daron Payne’s facemask last week.
Despite his insistence that St. Brown was the antagonist in the situation, Payne was ejected from the game.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
The Commanders ultimately suffered a 44-22 loss to the Lions.
LIONS’ AMON-RA ST BROWN APOLOGIZES IF HE ‘OFFENDED’ ANYONE WITH TRUMP DANCE AT GAME VS COMMANDERS
Referees did not throw a flag against St. Brown on the play. It was unclear if officials saw the receiver’s initial actions. However, Payne’s punch was seen, prompting his ejection.
Payne was not in uniform Sunday as he served a one-game suspension during Washington’s 16-13 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins in the NFL’s first-ever game in Madrid.
St. Brown made more headlines during last week’s game at Northwest Stadium when he performed a celebratory touchdown dance. After hauling in a 9-yard pass from quarterback Jared Goff in the first quarter, St. Brown broke out into a dance that served as a nod to President Donald Trump, who was attending the game.
Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend a regular-season NFL game since Jimmy Carter in 1978.
St. Brown later addressed his actions and offered an apology to anyone who may have taken issue with his dance selection.
“If I offended anyone, I do apologize. I did not mean to offend anyone. It was just, we’re having fun,” the Lions wideout said on the “St. Brown Podcast,” which is co-hosted by his brother Equanimeous St. Brown. “If any president was at that game, if they had a dance, I would have done it. It had nothing to do with who the president was.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
St. Brown has 693 receiving yards and has hauled in eight touchdowns this season. The Philadelphia Eagles host the Lions on Sunday night.
sports coverage on X the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter
‘Effortless escape’ crowned Europe’s most relaxing city, and it’s not Paris or Rome
Looking for a quick escape that feels like a break? According to LateRooms’ new Easy Breaks Index, the best stress-free city to visit right now may not even be on your radar.
The index compared 50 popular European cities by flight time, airport-transfer cost and duration, average hotel prices, and how travelers rated each city’s top attraction.
The former capital of Poland may not be the typical tourist destination – but with all of that considered, Kraków came out on top.
According to LateRooms, Kraków wins because it combines convenience and affordability without the chaos that usually comes with international travel.
OVERWEIGHT FOREIGNERS SEEKING VISAS MAY BE REJECTED TO SAVE HEALTHCARE COSTS, TAXPAYER EXPENSE
Once you land, the city’s small size makes arrival refreshingly easy. According to LateRooms, the airport train gets you to the center of the city in just 17 minutes, one of the fastest transfers in Europe. The stations connect directly by footbridge, meaning no expensive taxis, long lines or stressful navigation right after you land.
HOTELS, RESORTS ACCUSED OF CHARGING TOO MANY ‘FEES,’ SENDING FED-UP VACATIONERS OVERSEAS FOR CHEAPER DEALS
Once you’re there, Kraków is built for slowing down. The city’s travel site boasts that the entire town center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is walkable and framed by the green ring of Planty Park.
According to Poland’s national tourism office, most of the major sights are within a short walk of each other, making it one of Europe’s most compact cultural centers. That simplicity cuts out the mental friction that often sneaks into short trips with overstuffed itineraries from trying to do everything in a short time.
POPULAR TRAVEL DESTINATION TO CHARGE ‘TOURIST TAX’ UPWARDS OF $65 PER NIGHT
And it’s not just the ease of it all: according to Harvard Health, even a 20-minute stroll in a green space can significantly lower cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone.
Another recent review in PLOS One found that brief breaks researchers call “micro-vacations” help reduce fatigue and improve mood.
Kraków fits that formula perfectly with little fuss, plenty of greenery and easy access.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Even food here plays into the relaxed rhythm. According to National Geographic Traveler, Kraków’s café scene has plenty of coffeehouses and restaurants tucked into plazas and cellars and hearty, comfort-food traditions that invite you to linger.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
And no need to feel guilty over meals, because prices are lower than even other “budget” destinations, according to the city’s tourism site.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES
“Even supposedly cheap locations like Berlin or Lisbon are more expensive than Kraków, with restaurants roughly a third cheaper in the Polish city,” it says.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
According to LateRooms, all of this is exactly what their index was designed to measure: which cities provide “effortless escapes.”
Unexpected metro tops the list as America’s most affordable housing market
The most affordable city in the U.S. sits in the western part of Pennsylvania.
Realtor.com economists determined in a recent report that Pittsburgh is the lowest-priced large housing market in the U.S.
In October, the median listing price of a home in the metro was $250,000, which is more than $150,000 below the national median, according to Realtor.com senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones.
NEARLY 1 IN 5 AMERICAN HOMES SLASH PRICES AS BUYERS GAIN UPPER HAND IN SHIFTING MARKET
This comes just after the Steel City caught attention this summer for being the only major metro where becoming a first-time homeowner was more economical than paying monthly rent, Realtor.com reported.
Of the 50 largest U.S. metros, it was among only three that were deemed affordable for median earners based on the 30% affordability rule of thumb, Jones said in a June report.
The 30% affordability rule suggests that a potential homebuyer should spend no more than about 30% of their pre-tax income on housing, so there is room for other non-negotiables as well as savings. It is seen as a helpful benchmark for prospective buyers to gauge whether purchasing a home is financially prudent.
TREASURY’S BESSENT SAYS FIXING HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS WILL BE ONE OF HIS ‘BIG PROJECTS’ THIS FALL
In May, the typical Pittsburgh for-sale home cost just $249,900, requiring only 27.4% of the median income to finance, assuming a 20% down payment and a typical 30-year fixed mortgage rate.
Pittsburgh is made up of 90 neighborhoods. In September 2025, the median list price was $269,000, trending up 3.5% year-over-year, while the median sold price was slightly higher at $271,000.
For nearly two years, mortgage rates have hovered near their highest levels in more than two decades, creating a significant barrier to entry into the U.S. housing market, slowing demand and making the American dream of owning a home seem out of reach for many. However, Pittsburgh could be a bright spot for some of those buyers who have been grappling with the ongoing affordability crisis in the housing market.
SUB-$1,000 APARTMENTS STILL AVAILABLE IN SELECT MARKETS DESPITE RENT PRICES SURGING NATIONWIDE
Those challenges don’t appear to be going away anytime soon either, as mortgage rates ticked higher on Thursday for the second straight week, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac.
Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed the average rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage increased to 6.24% from last week’s reading of 6.22%.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Anthony Smith, Realtor.com’s senior economist, said the “near-flat movement” in rates “reflects a broader market pause, as sentiment surrounding the government’s reopening is tempered by lingering fiscal and economic uncertainty.”
“While the 10-year Treasury yield has shown signs of stabilizing, there is still no meaningful catalyst to push rates decisively higher or lower,” he said.
Fred Goldman wins fight for justice as Simpson estate accepts massive judgment
The O.J. Simpson estate has taken a key step toward paying Fred Goldman nearly $58 million—nearly three decades after Goldman won a wrongful death judgment in a civil case against Simpson, according to a report.
Malcolm LaVergne, executor of Simpson’s estate, has accepted Goldman’s creditor claim for $57,997,858.12, plus 30 years of accumulated interest, TMZ first reported Saturday.
Goldman’s son, Ron, was killed alongside Nicole Brown Simpson—O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife—on June 12, 1994. Simpson was acquitted of the murders in what became known as the “Trial of the Century.”
Simpson was later found liable in civil court in 1997 and ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages. Most of that judgment went unpaid during Simpson’s lifetime. He died in April 2024 at age 76.
OJ SIMPSON’S BIBLE FROM FROM ROBERT KARDASHIAN SELLS FOR HEFTY PRICE AT AUCTION
LaVergne told TMZ the nearly $58 million sum had been negotiated with Goldman. He said the estate plans to pay what it can by auctioning off Simpson’s possessions, some of which have been stolen. LaVergne said he is working with attorneys to recover those items.
He also said he would ask the court to approve an administrative fee for Goldman, who has assisted in managing estate affairs.
KIM KARDASHIAN APPROVED OJ SIMPSON JOKE ABOUT HER FAMILY IN NEW AMY SCHUMER MOVIE
LaVergne said he has rejected most other creditor claims, accepting only those from Fred Goldman and the Internal Revenue Service, whose federal tax obligations will take priority. That includes paying off a separate $636,945 claim from the state of California, which LaVergne said would have to take legal action if the state wants to collect.
LaVergne’s move marks a notable reversal. After Simpson’s death, he had publicly vowed not to pay the Goldman family. Now, he says the estate will work to settle the judgment to the extent possible.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Fred Goldman has long maintained that pursuing Simpson in civil court was the only way to seek justice for his son.