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Illinois House bill would close judicial elections loophole

By Joe Barnas

02/14/2019

A legal tactic intended to make it easier for Illinois judges to stay on the bench is under fire. An Illinois House bill aims to close the loophole, which four southwestern Illinois judges used in bids to dilute voters’ power.

TAGS: charlie meier, John Baricevic, judicial retention, Lloyd Cueto, Robert Haida, Robert LeChien

Report: Chicago area most corrupt in nation

By Vincent Caruso

02/13/2019

Chicagoland and northern Illinois have seen more corrupt public officials put behind bars than any other part of the nation, a new analysis found.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Danny Solis, Ed Burke

Madigan aides sought out, assisted alleged ‘sham’ candidates in primary election

By Austin Berg

02/01/2019

Madigan’s 2016 primary opponent filed a lawsuit alleging the House speaker recruited “sham” candidates in order to dilute opposition.

TAGS: Jason Gonzales, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan

Proposed amendment would place term limits on top Illinois lawmakers

By Vincent Caruso

01/31/2019

A lawmaker would only be allowed to serve in the powerful role of Illinois House speaker for a maximum of eight years under a proposed constitutional amendment recently introduced in the General Assembly.

TAGS: Illinois General Assembly, Mike Madigan, term limits, Tim Butler

Feds drilling to the core of Illinois power, politics

By Austin Berg

01/31/2019

What’s important for Illinoisans to know now is not just whether politically powerful people such as Burke and Madigan broke the law, but how the law itself encourages indecent behavior.

TAGS: Chicago, Danny Solis, Ed Burke, Mike Madigan

Illinois tollway chair resigns following patronage scandal

By Vincent Caruso

01/30/2019

Robert Schillerstrom submitted his resignation after chairing the Illinois tollway for four years. An investigation revealed the outgoing chairman doled out hundreds of millions of dollars in patronage contracts.

TAGS: gas tax, Illinois Tollway, patronage, Robert Schillerstrom, taxes, tollway

New bills would allow Chicagoans to recall mayor

By Joe Barnas

01/30/2019

Lawmakers in Springfield have introduced a pair of bills that would provide a mechanism for Chicagoans to recall their mayor.

TAGS: Chicago, election, mayor, recall

Illinois House passes rules giving Madigan extraordinary power – again

By Joe Tabor

01/29/2019

On Jan. 29 the Illinois House of Representatives voted on new House Rules, but none of the new rules addressed the unparalleled power the Speaker of the House is given over the legislative process.

TAGS: house rules, Illinois General Assembly, Illinois House of Representatives, Mike Madigan, rules

Taxpayer victory: Illinois House cuts committee bloat

By Austin Berg

01/29/2019

A glut of $10,000-a-head committee chair positions has been a key tool for House Speaker Mike Madigan to maintain power over members.

TAGS: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois House of Representatives, Mike Madigan

Illinois lawmakers rekindle efforts to raise tobacco purchase age to 21

By Vincent Caruso

01/29/2019

Lawmakers in the Illinois House of Representatives failed to override former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of the “Tobacco 21” bill in November. Gov. Pritzker’s administration has signaled support.

TAGS: cigarette tax, JB Pritzker, tobacco, Tobacco 21

Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process

Illinois Democrats possess oversized power in Springfield. Democrats control both houses of the Illinois General Assembly. Though this majority will not be veto-proof in the 100th General Assembly, whose members will assume office in January 2017, it still allows Democratic politicians to easily pass their party’s legislation through the House and Senate – and to block...

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Good Government

Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process

Tracy Ross

Website posting requirements for local governments in Illinois

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