Harvard study ranks Illinois among most corrupt states
Harvard study ranks Illinois among most corrupt states
The state’s entrenched culture of cronyism is blindingly clear, especially to those who report on it for a living.
Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2014
Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2014
In November, 13 of 53 Corruption Watch stories were related to policies and actions of criminal-justice authorities in Illinois.
Montgomery County superintendents consider sales-tax hike
Montgomery County superintendents consider sales-tax hike
Superintendents in Nokomis Community School District 22 are gearing up to push for a county-wide sales-tax hike.
5 reasons FOIA bill would crush government watchdogs in corrupt Illinois
5 reasons FOIA bill would crush government watchdogs in corrupt Illinois
HB 3796 would hamstring watchdogs in a state riddled with corruption. Lawmakers should let Quinn’s veto stand.
School districts plot sales-tax hike for DeKalb County
School districts plot sales-tax hike for DeKalb County
If a school facilities sales tax referendum was passed in DeKalb County, the 0.25 percent sales-tax rate could rise to 1.25 percent, a 400 percent increase.
Illinois Supreme Court dismisses challenge to red-light cameras
Illinois Supreme Court dismisses challenge to red-light cameras
In a strange turn of events, the Illinois Supreme Court on Nov. 20 dismissed a challenge to Chicago’s red-light camera program.
Days after Jersey County voters reject tax hike, school board tries again
Days after Jersey County voters reject tax hike, school board tries again
While school districts can place sales-tax referendums on the ballot every election, once sales-tax hikes are enacted, voters can never initiate a referendum to repeal them.
Veto session week 1 recap: minimum-wage hike, mandatory caregiver training still up for grabs
Veto session week 1 recap: minimum-wage hike, mandatory caregiver training still up for grabs
Ridesharing regulations, ObamaCare exchange and extension of the 2011 tax hikes all lay dormant.
4 Illinois municipalities earn Sunshine award, multiple municipalities fail government transparency audit
4 Illinois municipalities earn Sunshine award, multiple municipalities fail government transparency audit
Wilmette is a fantastic example of a community going above and beyond to promote online transparency for citizens.
Illinois voters should look before they leap on ‘victims’ rights’ amendment
Illinois voters should look before they leap on ‘victims’ rights’ amendment
Voters may also want to consider whether these rights need to be part of the Illinois Constitution, even if they do seem desirable.
What you’re voting on
What you’re voting on
Voters will weigh in on non-binding referendums including a minimum-wage increase and a millionaires tax, as well as constitutional amendments on existing crime victims’ rights and voting rights.
Illinois Corruption Watch, October 2014
Illinois Corruption Watch, October 2014
In October, we found 52 different stories of potential public corruption in Illinois, including a trio of stories related to the election. An Illinois Policy investigation into emails from a group of Kankakee County superintendents revealed potentially illegal activities to pass a countywide sales-tax hike for school facilities. Documents obtained suggest illegal actions by superintendents...
Kankakee County superintendents behaving badly
Kankakee County superintendents behaving badly
It’s perfectly legal for people working for local government to engage in politics on their own free time, but if they are using taxpayer resources or facilities for political campaigns it can be a criminal act. A Freedom of Information Act investigation conducted by the Illinois Policy Institute has revealed potentially illegal activities being conducted...
Outside money pours into communities to pass sales-tax hikes
Outside money pours into communities to pass sales-tax hikes
The public school district in Jacksonville, Illinois, is criticizing fellow Illinoisans for educating residents about a significant sales-tax increase proposal on the ballot – a tax increase that would drive up the cost of gas, clothes, prepared food, electronics and more. School district officials called the Illinois Policy Institute a “Chicago based” group, when we’re...