New Illinois laws going into effect in 2017
New Illinois laws going into effect in 2017
2017 will usher in more transparency and opportunity in areas from criminal justice to government employee expenses to pensions.
2016 Corruption Watch: Chicago, East St. Louis take top corruption spots
2016 Corruption Watch: Chicago, East St. Louis take top corruption spots
This year was full of corruption and mismanagement from public officials, but four instances in particular stand out.
What 2017 brings the Illinois General Assembly: Lame duck and the end of Madigan’s supermajority
What 2017 brings the Illinois General Assembly: Lame duck and the end of Madigan’s supermajority
January 2017 will see a new General Assembly, but the lame duck session casts a long shadow over the new legislature.
Springfield 2016: Taxpayer, criminal justice victories amid ongoing budget gridlock
Springfield 2016: Taxpayer, criminal justice victories amid ongoing budget gridlock
Although the battle for the budget drags on, there were several important legislative wins for Illinoisans in 2016 including criminal justice reform, averting tax hikes, and stopping Madigan’s agenda in the lame duck session.
All I want for Christmas is a new speaker
All I want for Christmas is a new speaker
If Democrats choose Madigan for the 17th time, he will be crowned the longest-serving House speaker in U.S. history.
7 public officials arrested in Metro East area on corruption charges
7 public officials arrested in Metro East area on corruption charges
Corruption from several public officials in Metro East underscores the need for more government transparency in the area.
Local corruption hits Chicago, suburbs and downstate communities
Local corruption hits Chicago, suburbs and downstate communities
November was a sad reminder of the corruption at various levels of Illinois government from retired House Speaker Denny Hastert to the small Village of Bellwood.
Madigan nears title of longest-serving House speaker in U.S. history
Madigan nears title of longest-serving House speaker in U.S. history
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan told reporters he has “overwhelming support” to be re-elected to his longtime post come January. Another two-year term would bring his total tenure as speaker of the House to 34 years.
Madigan’s millions: Why the speaker should release his tax returns
Madigan’s millions: Why the speaker should release his tax returns
Every dollar Madigan earns back for his corporate clients makes someone else’s property-tax bill go up.
Madigan loses his supermajority in Illinois House
Madigan loses his supermajority in Illinois House
Illinois voters sent a clear message to the longtime House speaker Nov. 8: “enough.”
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel used private email account to talk with Clinton campaign
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel used private email account to talk with Clinton campaign
WikiLeaks latest revelations show Emanuel tried to get top staffer a job inside the Clinton campaign. Government at all levels must be transparent and accessible to the public. The use of private email accounts flouts efforts to hold government accountable and expose corruption.
Corruption Watch
Corruption Watch
October’s headlines featured backroom deals and financial mismanagement, all at taxpayers’ expense.
Group that blocked independent redistricting reform contributed $6.6M to Madigan-controlled political organizations
Group that blocked independent redistricting reform contributed $6.6M to Madigan-controlled political organizations
Since 1994, members of The People’s Map — which sued to keep a legislative map reform amendment off Illinois’ November ballot — and their employers have given over $6.6 million to Friends of Michael J. Madigan, the Democratic Majority and the Democratic Party of Illinois, which House Speaker Mike Madigan chairs.
Members of the Illinois House of Representatives who give Madigan ultimate power
Members of the Illinois House of Representatives who give Madigan ultimate power
Illinoisans don’t vote to make Madigan the speaker of the House. That job belongs to their representatives.