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Inside the biggest municipal fraud scheme in U.S. history

What we can learn about how fraud happens and how can cities guard against it.
The scandal, which unfolded in the sleepy town of Dixon, Illinois, saw the city's comptroller steal $53 million over her 20-year career.
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Pickleball’s popularity presents equity challenges for city governments

Apr 11, 2023
For many major cities across the United States, pickleball’s rise in popularity shows equity gaps in infrastructure.
A pickelabll court located in Brooklyn, New York. More than 4.8 million people played the sport in 2021, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
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Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on rebuilding trust between the city and its people

Lightfoot wants to "unwind" Chicago's "addiction to fines and fees" so as to not drive people into bankruptcy and out of the economy.
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City finances are in trouble. Next year could be worse.

Aug 13, 2020
A new report from the National League of Cities finds that local governments are seeing big drops in revenue.
The nearly empty streets of New York City in May. City budgets, which fund local infrastructure and services, have been slammed during the pandemic.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Cities and states that lean on sales and income tax to operate have taken a hit

Apr 15, 2020
A place like Columbus, Ohio, relies on income tax for 75% of its revenue.
With much of the economy shutdown and more and more people out of work, cities and states aren’t collecting as much in taxes.
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What it's like for city officials faced with outdated technology

Mar 18, 2019
The San Francisco assessor's office has waited years to update its technology systems.
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