The pandemic has taken a deep and painful toll on some of the area's poorest communities, according to a report by WGN/Channel 9.

WGN Investigates has found a total of 10 suburbs, the highest number in recent years, collected less than 80 cents for every property tax dollar owed.

Local governments use the money to pay employees and bills. So, a steep decline in tax collection has left some towns with less than what they need.

"If you're collecting half of what you should be collecting in property taxes, the question is how do you fund the government," Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas said.

Watch the report.