Red-light camera vendor at heart of corruption probes gets PPP loan
Red-light camera vendor at heart of corruption probes gets PPP loan
SafeSpeed has been involved in a federal investigation that has resulted in corruption charges against multiple Illinois politicians.
Judge strikes down Pritzker’s COVID-19 orders, extended emergency powers
Judge strikes down Pritzker’s COVID-19 orders, extended emergency powers
Clay County Judge Michael McHaney said Pritzker’s emergency powers stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak lapsed on April 8, and any executive orders relating to COVID-19 finding their authority under those emergency powers are void.
By Joe Tabor
Investigation shows Madigan had heavy hand in filling state jobs for Pritzker
Investigation shows Madigan had heavy hand in filling state jobs for Pritzker
Illinois public servants expect special privileges. And Gov. J.B. Pritzker is happy to oblige.
By Austin Berg
Illinois unemployment data breach leads to ID theft, class-action lawsuit claims
Illinois unemployment data breach leads to ID theft, class-action lawsuit claims
The contractor who revamped Illinois’ unemployment system to handle self-employed workers is being sued. One of the nearly 32,500 applicants who had private information exposed said it was used to access her bank account.
Despite business, lawmaker suits, Pritzker grants himself emergency powers for 4th time
Despite business, lawmaker suits, Pritzker grants himself emergency powers for 4th time
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker for the fourth time extended by 30 days his emergency powers to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses and lawmakers are amending lawsuits in response.
By Joe Tabor
Pritzker’s toilet removal contractor gets nearly $9M in COVID-19 work
Pritzker’s toilet removal contractor gets nearly $9M in COVID-19 work
The contractor who removed toilets from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mansion in a $331,000 property tax scandal received a nearly $9 million COVID-19 contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The contractor hadn’t worked with the Corps in 76 years.
Chicago may soon allow in-law flats, coach houses for first time since 1957
Chicago may soon allow in-law flats, coach houses for first time since 1957
Chicago introduces an ordinance to remove restrictions on accessory dwelling units, paving the way to encourage entrepreneurship and further combat the city’s affordable housing crisis
By Robert Brutvan
Pritzker family firm has ties to COVID-19 testing companies
Pritzker family firm has ties to COVID-19 testing companies
The Pritzker Group, a private and venture capital firm co-founded by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, is connected to at least two companies creating COVID-19 tests.
State legal memo: Illinois governor needs lawmakers’ approval before extending emergency powers
State legal memo: Illinois governor needs lawmakers’ approval before extending emergency powers
Amid a recent series of lawsuits, the 2001 informal opinion by the Illinois Attorney General’s office concludes the emergency powers granted a governor during a disaster cannot be extended beyond 30 days without legislative approval.
By Joe Tabor
COVID-19 rules apply to all Illinoisans, with exceptions for some political figures
COVID-19 rules apply to all Illinoisans, with exceptions for some political figures
Some of those leading Illinois’ response to COVID-19, or those close to them, have not exactly been following the rules about staying home and social distancing.
By Brad Weisenstein
What Illinoisans need to know about the May 1 mask mandate
What Illinoisans need to know about the May 1 mask mandate
Under the latest extension of Illinois’ stay-at-home order, residents will be required to wear masks in stores and other places where social distancing is not possible.
Illinois judge rules against Pritzker’s extension of stay-at-home order
Illinois judge rules against Pritzker’s extension of stay-at-home order
The judge said Pritzker’s executive orders “shredded the constitution,” highlighting the need for the Illinois General Assembly to play a role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Joe Tabor
As Pritzker continues to extend his emergency powers, what role should the General Assembly play?
As Pritzker continues to extend his emergency powers, what role should the General Assembly play?
The governor is poised to continually issue disaster proclamations to extend his emergency powers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the General Assembly has a role to play in the crisis, too.
By Joe Tabor
Patronage hires lead to federal oversight of Cook County Clerk’s office
Patronage hires lead to federal oversight of Cook County Clerk’s office
An illegal patronage operation brought on federal oversight when Karen Yarbrough was Cook County’s recorder of deeds. It’s happened again to her as county clerk.