Cook Treasurer says state law protects homeowners from losing equity through foreclosure
Cook County officials say a recently-enacted state law brings the county into compliance with a 2023 Supreme Court decision which held that governments can only keep the amount of foreclosure proceeds needed to pay the amount owed in delinquent taxes, penalties and fees. Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said House Bill 4537 brings a balanced approach that protects both taxpayers and the public interest. Pacific Legal Foundation recently urged the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to affirm that the county treasurer cannot invoke sovereign immunity to avoid claims that the tax-sale process unlawfully confiscated surplus equity.
Cook County to hold budget briefings
As the county faces a projected budget gap of $550.7 million for fiscal year 2027, Cook County officials have scheduled virtual budget briefings on October 13 and October 19 around the county board finance committee’s public hearings on October 15. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is scheduled to present her proposed spending plan to county commissioners this Thursday, October 8. The county budget for fiscal year 2026 was $10.12 billion, nearly double the 2018 budget of $5.2 billion.
ICE weekend arrests include two in Illinois
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested two foreign nationals last weekend with sexual assault and abuse convictions in Illinois. According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, Mexican national Juan Jose Rodriguez Maldonado was in the U.S. unlawfully and had been convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse on a victim less than 13 years old in Chicago. DHS said Moroccan national Zouhair Boudaz was also in the country illegally and had been convicted of criminal sexual assault/force in Cook County.
Fuel prices tick lower
Illinois gas prices have ticked lower in recent days, although they remain higher than they were one month ago. AAA said the average Illinois price for regular unleaded was $4.65 on Thursday, down from $4.76 one week ago and up from $4.29 a month ago. AAA’s average price in Indiana on Tuesday was $3.72. The national average was $4.37.
