The NEIU land grab and a bill to stop it
The NEIU land grab and a bill to stop it
Just because a public entity wants land doesn’t mean it should be able to take it for any reason.
Simplifying Illinois’ labyrinthine law books
Simplifying Illinois’ labyrinthine law books
Illinois’ endless list of state statutes could use some spring cleaning.
Fire safety: Carpentersville election exposes loophole allowing government-union board members
Fire safety: Carpentersville election exposes loophole allowing government-union board members
Local-government employees are typically barred from serving in local elected office, given they’d be sitting on both sides of the bargaining table. But one group of public employees is exempt from this sensible safeguard: firefighters.
2 Illinois universities among worst in the nation for free speech
2 Illinois universities among worst in the nation for free speech
Universities are supposed to be safe havens for controversial ideas, but at least 10 Illinois universities have one or more policies that clearly and substantially restrict freedom of speech.
Mayor Dave Schmidt, good-government advocate, remembered
Mayor Dave Schmidt, good-government advocate, remembered
In a state notorious for its troubles with public corruption, the loss of a leader like Dave Schmidt will leave a void that will be difficult to fill.
Restoring state pride
Restoring state pride
There are transformational changes on the horizon in Illinois.
Illinois 36th, Indiana 3rd in new state freedom index
Illinois 36th, Indiana 3rd in new state freedom index
Lack of school choice, a stifling regulatory climate and high taxes puts Illinois in the bottom third of the country on the First in Freedom Index.
Emails reveal Rock Island superintendents used public resources to push tax hike
Emails reveal Rock Island superintendents used public resources to push tax hike
District superintendents and the regional superintendent from Rock Island County coordinated with an active political action committee to push a sales-tax hike.
Rosemont raises the curtain on $1M deal with Garth Brooks
Rosemont raises the curtain on $1M deal with Garth Brooks
How village officials used public money to pad the pockets of one of the most successful artists of all time, and tried to keep it a secret.
Bruce Rauner: The first 30 days
Bruce Rauner: The first 30 days
Issuing seven new executive orders and rescinding seven others, along with delivering a State of the State address, the new governor has had a busy first month in office.
Corruption Watch: January 2015
Corruption Watch: January 2015
The start of a new year always comes with resolutions for improvement, but only time will tell if they translate into effective action.
Tribune investigation exposes Emanuel patronage politics
Tribune investigation exposes Emanuel patronage politics
Research found more than half of the mayor’s top 100 donors benefitted from city government, “receiving contracts, zoning changes, business permits, pension work, board appointments, regulatory help or some other tangible benefit.”
State of the State BINGO!
State of the State BINGO!
Play BINGO! with us during Gov. Rauner's State of the State address at noon on Wednesday! Win free stuff!
State of the state: 10 facts you need to know about transparency in a state famous for corruption
State of the state: 10 facts you need to know about transparency in a state famous for corruption
The state that gave rise to Rod Blagojevich, Jesse Jackson Jr. and Rita Crundwell still hasn’t learned its lesson.