Taxpayer victory: Illinois House cuts committee bloat
Taxpayer victory: Illinois House cuts committee bloat
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.
Illinois lawmakers rekindle efforts to raise tobacco purchase age to 21
Illinois lawmakers rekindle efforts to raise tobacco purchase age to 21
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.
FBI secretly recorded Madigan at his law office
FBI secretly recorded Madigan at his law office
Madigan has long been criticized for his control of a lucrative law firm specializing in Cook County property tax appeals.
Can Pritzker keep promise to stop Illinois gerrymandering?
Can Pritzker keep promise to stop Illinois gerrymandering?
In the end, redistricting reform could come under the dome in Springfield or by clipboards and signatures on street corners. Either way, those efforts are only helped by the governor holding on to his campaign promise.
Chicago aldermen give up control of $100M workers’ comp program
Chicago aldermen give up control of $100M workers’ comp program
A federal corruption charge against Chicago Ald. Ed Burke has led peers to hand control of the $100 million-a-year workers’ compensation program to the city finance department. Burke, who had overseen the program for decades, fought program oversight and staffed it with political allies.
Madigan’s power runs deeper than the speaker vote
Madigan’s power runs deeper than the speaker vote
Many things have changed in state government during the past 36 years. Madigan has held constant.
Madigan re-elected to 18th term as Illinois House Speaker
Madigan re-elected to 18th term as Illinois House Speaker
The longtime speaker has held the gavel for 34 of the past 36 years, and maintains procedural powers unheard of in other states.
Longtime Illinois House Rep. Lou Lang resigns, joins lobbying firm
Longtime Illinois House Rep. Lou Lang resigns, joins lobbying firm
The former deputy majority leader resigned his House seat two days prior to being sworn into the 101st General Assembly. A Springfield lobbying firm hired him.
Madigan poised to seize speakership yet again
Madigan poised to seize speakership yet again
After sweeping victories for Illinois Democrats in November, Mike Madigan is all but assured an 18th term as speaker of the House of Representatives when new members are sworn in Jan. 9. Madigan has already broken the record for longest-serving state legislative speaker in U.S. history.
Ald. Burke prosecution ends battle against auditing Chicago’s $100 million workers’ comp program
Ald. Burke prosecution ends battle against auditing Chicago’s $100 million workers’ comp program
Mayor Rahm Emanuel ordered an audit of the city’s $100 million-a-year workers’ compensation program following Ald. Ed Burke’s resignation as finance committee chair. Burke has long fought program oversight.
Chicago Ald. Ed Burke gives up control of city finances after felony extortion charge
Chicago Ald. Ed Burke gives up control of city finances after felony extortion charge
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Jan. 4 that longtime Ald. Ed Burke resigned as chairman of the city’s finance committee. The move came the day after federal agents served Burke an attempted extortion charge.
Longtime Chicago Ald. Ed Burke charged with extortion
Longtime Chicago Ald. Ed Burke charged with extortion
Federal prosecutors claim Burke used his position as alderman to solicit business for his law firm, which specializes in Cook County property tax appeals. Felony attempted extortion could come with up to 20 years in prison.
Fixing Illinois? Pritzker needs a New Chicago Way
Fixing Illinois? Pritzker needs a New Chicago Way
Fixing Chicago’s outdated governance would benefit the entire state. Pritzker should use his new job – and the megaphone that comes with it – to help make that a reality.
Term limits popular with local voters, but Illinois state lawmakers try to blunt reforms
Term limits popular with local voters, but Illinois state lawmakers try to blunt reforms
Since 2014 alone, voters in 11 suburban Cook County communities approved term limits on elected leaders. A bill in the Illinois General Assembly seeks to curb those reforms.