U.S. Supreme Court rules government home equity theft unconstitutional

By Patrick Andriesen

05/27/2023

U.S. Supreme Court justices ruled for a widow from Minnesota whose home was seized and sold for a tax debt, but local government kept $25,000 more than she owed. The ruling should stop the practice in Illinois, where it is especially prevalent.

TAGS: U.S. Supreme Court

What to know before Brandon Johnson becomes mayor of Chicago

By Patrick Andriesen

05/12/2023

Former Cook County Commissioner and Chicago Teachers Union lobbyist Brandon Johnson will be sworn in as the 57th mayor of Chicago May 15. Here’s what Chicagoans should know about his political ties, policy proposals and prospects.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

4 ways Springfield should combat ‘ComEd 4’ corruption

By Joe Tabor

05/09/2023

A jury found all “ComEd Four” defendants guilty of bribing Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan in exchange for favorable legislation. It was an alarm for Springfield lawmakers that half-measures don’t work and lasting ethics reform is needed in Illinois.

‘ComEd 4’ found guilty on all counts in scheme to bribe Michael Madigan

By Patrick Andriesen

05/02/2023

The four top lobbyists and executives at the state’s largest electric utility were convicted May 2 for their involvement in a multi-year scheme to funnel $1.3 million in jobs, contracts and payments to sway the former Illinois House Speaker.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Pritzker calls for campaign finance reform after spending $323M on campaigns

By Dylan Sharkey

05/01/2023

Gov. J.B. Pritzker told Harvard students self-financing political campaigns isn’t the answer, calling for campaign finance reform. Pritzker self-financed both of his gubernatorial campaigns for a total of $323 million.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Over 102K more Chicagoans voted by mail than 4 years earlier

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

04/27/2023

While total Chicago voter turnout hit a high April 4, in-person voting on Election Day reached the lowest level in Chicago mayoral runoff history. Most Chicagoans voting did so early or by mail.

TAGS: vote-by-mail

Nearly 3-in-5 Chicagoans voted early or by mail in Feb. 28 primary

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

04/05/2023

Chicago Board of Elections stats show nearly 57% Chicagoans voted early or by mail in the primary election Feb. 28. Almost three times more voters cast their ballot by mail than during the 2o19 primary.

TAGS: vote-by-mail

AP: Brandon Johnson wins Chicago mayoral election

By Dylan Sharkey

04/04/2023

Winning 51% of the vote, Cook County Commissioner and Chicago Teacher Union lobbyist Brandon Johnson defeated Paul Vallas in the April 4 mayoral runoff, according to news outlets. Paul Vallas concedes.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

ComEd 4 trial shows why fixing Illinois House Rules vital to stop next Madigan

By Joe Tabor

03/31/2023

The ComEd 4 corruption trial proves concentrated power breeds corruption. The fix? Reform the rules former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan crafted to concentrate all that power.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Chicago Teachers Union, affiliates bankroll Brandon Johnson while individuals favor Vallas

By Mailee Smith

03/28/2023

Over 93% of Brandon Johnson’s Chicago mayor campaign contributions come from 20 unions, while about 71% of Paul Vallas’ come from 1,073 individuals. It’s a union machine versus the people showdown at the election April 4.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Paul Vallas