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Ald. Burke, Sen. Sandoval political crony guilty of lying about bribes

By Brad Weisenstein

04/13/2021

A longtime political operative for Chicago Ald. Ed Burke and the late state Sen. Martin Sandoval pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about bribes.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, Ed Burke, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Martin Sandoval

Two Illinois border states revoke governors’ mask mandates

By Laura Bianchi

04/08/2021

High courts in Wisconsin and Michigan have both ruled governors cannot repeatedly issue disaster declarations as a basis for mask mandates and other orders without legislative approval. A year into the pandemic, Illinois’ governor is still doing it.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, lockdown, Michigan, reopen, Wisconsin

Former state senator, ComEd lobbyist faces tax fraud indictment

By Patrick Andriesen

04/02/2021

A former Illinois state senator was charged with federal income tax crimes. Her Senate financial disclosure statement shows why they are known as ‘none’ sheets. Reforms are needed.

TAGS: Annazette Collins, bribery, ComEd, corruption, Mike Madigan, tax fraud

Political operative for Ald. Burke, Sen. Sandoval charged with lying to FBI

By Patrick Andriesen

04/01/2021

A longtime political operative for Chicago Ald. Ed Burke and the late state Sen. Martin Sandoval was charged with lying to the FBI about bribes.

TAGS: corruption, Ed Burke, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal investigation, Martin Sandoval

Marijuana company investigated for pay to play? Hired Madigan cronies.

By Patrick Andriesen

04/01/2021

A Chicago-based marijuana company is facing a federal investigation into whether it bought influence to gain state licenses, sources told the Chicago Tribune. It hired four close associates of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.

TAGS: ComEd, corruption, federal investigation, marijuana, Mike Madigan

Bill would have stopped campaign fund use to settle sexual harassment suits

By Ann Miller

03/29/2021

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan spent nearly $900,000 in campaign funds to fight a sexual harassment lawsuit. A bill would stop lawmakers from using donations to settle harassment claims.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, ethics, Mike Madigan, sexual harrassment

What Kane County voters need to know to vote early or by mail before April 6

By Patrick Andriesen

03/25/2021

Kane County voters have calendar dates to watch if they are voting early or by mail ahead of the April 6 election. Here’s what they need to know.

TAGS: early voting, election, Kane County, vote-by-mail

What to know about voting early or by mail before April 6 in McHenry County

By Patrick Andriesen

03/25/2021

McHenry County voters have calendar dates to watch if they are voting early or by mail ahead of the April 6 election. Here’s what they need to know.

TAGS: early voting, election, McHenry County, vote-by-mail

What DuPage County voters need to know for early or mail-in voting before April 6

By Patrick Andriesen

03/22/2021

DuPage County voters have calendar dates to watch if they are voting early or by mail ahead of the April 6 election. Here’s what they need to know.

TAGS: DuPage County, early voting, election, vote-by-mail

What Lake County voters need to know to vote early or by mail before April 6

By Patrick Andriesen

03/22/2021

Lake County voters have calendar dates to watch if they are voting early or by mail ahead of the April 6 election. Here’s what they need to know.

TAGS: early voting, election, Lake County, vote-by-mail

To prevent political bribery in Illinois, change the House Rules

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s power over Illinois politics is more precarious than ever. A steady stream of federal investigations, wiretaps and raids of people close to him, a deferred prosecution agreement with Commonwealth Edison wherein the utility giant admitted to bribing the speaker, and a grand jury subpoena served to Madigan’s office have led...

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Good Government

To prevent political bribery in Illinois, change the House Rules

Brigette Barber

Website posting requirements for local governments in Illinois

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students