Indicted Chicago alderman too ill to stand trial, OK to cast council votes

By Patrick Andriesen

11/15/2022

Chicago’s second-longest serving alderman is seeking a stay of prosecution on federal bribery charges, arguing she is “not medically fit to stand trial.” The plea comes eight days after Ald. Carrie Austin voted on the council floor to approve the city budget.

TAGS: Chicago City Council, corruption

Pritzker spends $323M on 2 campaigns for governor

By Dylan Sharkey

11/14/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker spent $152 million in defeating state Sen. Darren Bailey for re-election, down from the $171 million for his first Illinois gubernatorial campaign.

TAGS: Darren Bailey, JB Pritzker

2022 election had most contested Illinois House races in 2 decades

By Patrick Andriesen

11/10/2022

Illinois’ 2022 general election was the most contested non-presidential election in the past two decades, with 79 contested Statehouse races. Illinois Policy’s Full Slate project helped give voters an extra 32 choices on the ballot.

TAGS: elections, Illinois

Patronage oversight ends for Cook County assessor’s office

By Ann Miller

11/03/2022

On Nov. 1 a federal judge decided to end decades-long patronage hiring oversight of the Cook County assessor’s office. Cronyism and patronage remain in Illinois, despite some government offices escaping federal court oversight.

TAGS: Cook County assessor, corruption, Shakman decrees

Who is running for judge in Illinois?

By Aimee Morrissey, Perry Zhao, Joe Tabor

11/03/2022

On Nov. 8, Illinoisans will vote for important judge positions, including three Illinois Supreme Court justices and 16 appellate court judges. Their decisions impact daily life, yet about 25% of voters leave their ballots blank when they get to the judges.

TAGS: election, judges

Madigan pleads not guilty to corruption charges

By Dylan Sharkey

11/02/2022

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his co-defendant, Michael McClain, denied all corruption accusations brought against them. Federal prosecutors said Madigan used his position to run a criminal enterprise.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Union boss receives 19-month prison sentence for extorting $325K from film studio

By Patrick Andriesen

10/28/2022

A former Teamsters secretary-treasurer was sentenced to 19 months in prison for extorting $325,000 from a Chicago film studio. The judge refused to give probation, saying “there is a price we all pay for public corruption.”

Madigan’s arraignment over AT&T bribery charges set for Nov. 1

By Patrick Andriesen

10/25/2022

Michael Madigan, former Illinois House speaker, and his longtime political ally and operative will enter pleas in federal court Nov. 1. They are charged with coercing bribes from AT&T in return for passing favorable legislation in Springfield.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Early voting starts in Cook County for Nov. 8 elections

By Patrick Andriesen

10/24/2022

Cook County voters can now visit any of the 53 polling locations countywide to cast their ballot for the Nov. 8 general elections. Illinoisians can still choose to permanently vote by mail until Nov. 3.

TAGS: Cook County, early voting

Bipartisan group of lawmakers objects to Pritzker’s endless COVID rules

By Dylan Sharkey

10/21/2022

Members of the Illinois General Assembly’s bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules are questioning the prolonged state of emergency regarding COVID-19. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has declared a state of emergency 35 times.

TAGS: executive order, JB Pritzker