Illinois’ broken pension system puts $100,000 a year or more into the hands of 62 former state lawmakers. It has paid more than $1 million to 94 of them.
Madigan confidant used state worker’s silence on rape to prove political loyalty
Silence on a rape and about ghost workers were evidence of political loyalty that should save a state worker facing discipline, according to an email uncovered in an open records request.
A decade after recession, Illinois’ construction industry is ice cold
Why is Illinois construction so weak? As it turns out, big government programs can’t paper over weak fundamentals.
Happy birthday: The solution that never was to Illinois’ pension crisis
Illinoisans should know lawmakers in the past made big moves to fix the state's worst-in-the-nation pension crisis. It’s politically possible. They just need a little reminder of our history.
Chicago mayoral term limits small step closer to reality
A group led by former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn is one step closer to getting a binding referendum question on the November ballot that would place term limits on the mayor of Chicago.
Illinois lawmaker files legislation allowing delay of legislator pay after court ruling says politicians must be paid
State Sen. Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorne Woods, filed legislation March 23 that would give the Illinois Comptroller’s office discretion to delay payments to lawmakers if insufficient funding exists to do so. This came just hours after a Cook County judge said lawmakers must be paid.
Lisa Madigan moves to shut down state government
Attempts to cut off state worker pay need not end in a tax hike.
Illinois’ executive clemency record proves need for sealing reform
Illinois governors don’t just pass on debt to their successors – they also leave behind a backlog of petitions for clemency.
Rauner lays off final 29 patronage hires made by previous governors
Gov. Bruce Rauner has laid off dozens of workers at a state agency, all political hires under previous governors.
Martwick profits from property taxes, complains about lawmaker pay
When it comes to touting oneself as a defender of the middle class, actions speak louder than words.