Outgoing Lake Forest official poised to collect large pension following Amtrak lobbying scandal
Outgoing Lake Forest official poised to collect large pension following Amtrak lobbying scandal
Months after an investigation found Lake Forest’s city manager to have squandered $200,000 on unauthorized lobbying payments, the north suburban official announced plans to retire next year.
By Vincent Caruso
Amid cuts to school band program, Norridge-area taxpayers fund 59 district employees making over $100K
Amid cuts to school band program, Norridge-area taxpayers fund 59 district employees making over $100K
Duplicative school districts and an excess of publicly funded six-figure salaries have educated Norridge-Harwood Heights taxpayers on the benefits of consolidation.
By Vincent Caruso
Push to repeal Illinois’ fireworks ban gains momentum
Push to repeal Illinois’ fireworks ban gains momentum
A petition to repeal Illinois’ fireworks ban has garnered more than 7,000 signatures, as lawmakers in the General Assembly throw their support behind a bill that would do just that.
By Joe Barnas
Just 20% of AFSCME Council 31 spending goes toward representing workers
Just 20% of AFSCME Council 31 spending goes toward representing workers
The union’s own reporting shows only 20 percent of its overall spending is on “representational activities,” which should cause members to question what they are paying for.
By Mailee Smith
Algonquin Township denies taxpayers the choice to consolidate road district
Algonquin Township denies taxpayers the choice to consolidate road district
A new law gives townships the option to let voters abolish their road districts through referendum. But Algonquin Township trustees rejected a resolution that would have given taxpayers that choice.
By Joe Kaiser
Illinois state workers who opted out of union membership see pay increases
Illinois state workers who opted out of union membership see pay increases
State workers previously paying “fair share” fees no longer have money deducted from their paychecks on behalf of a union.
By Mailee Smith
Alton voters will choose whether to eliminate township in November
Alton voters will choose whether to eliminate township in November
Alton residents are paying for two overlapping units of government – the city of Alton and Alton Township. But voters will soon have the chance to slash costs by dissolving the city’s redundant township.
By Vincent Caruso
If Frank Mautino didn’t break the rules, the rules are broken
If Frank Mautino didn’t break the rules, the rules are broken
Mautino might not be corrupt. But his conduct mirrored that of a person engaging in corrupt behavior.
By Austin Berg
Most of Lake County’s largest communities are shrinking
Most of Lake County’s largest communities are shrinking
Many communities in the northern Illinois border county are having trouble attracting and retaining residents.
By Austin Berg
East Moline taxpayers could find savings through school district consolidation
East Moline taxpayers could find savings through school district consolidation
While Quad Cities geography connects East Moline and the Iowa cities of Davenport and Bettendorf, Illinois’ abundance of school districts means their administrative environments are worlds apart. By consolidating duplicative administrative bodies, East Moline could generate taxpayer savings.
By Vincent Caruso
Illinois lawmaker introduces bill to repeal fireworks ban
Illinois lawmaker introduces bill to repeal fireworks ban
A new bill in the General Assembly would bring consumer fireworks back onto Illinois shelves for the first time in more than 75 years.
By Joe Barnas
Obscure official made more than $2M off Illinois development authorities, connected side business
Obscure official made more than $2M off Illinois development authorities, connected side business
Andrew Hamilton and his consulting firm have collected more than $2 million from eight regional development authorities since 2010.
By Austin Berg, Eddie Damstra
More than 75 years later, Illinois’ fireworks ban still law of the land
More than 75 years later, Illinois’ fireworks ban still law of the land
Next year, state lawmakers should explore making rockets’ red glare a legal pastime instead of a liability.
By Austin Berg