Madigan celebrates 35th anniversary as Illinois House speaker
Madigan celebrates 35th anniversary as Illinois House speaker
Illinoisans will soon cast a vote on the biggest ballot question in the history of Madigan’s record-breaking speakership.
Madigan confidant used state worker’s silence on rape to prove political loyalty
Madigan confidant used state worker’s silence on rape to prove political loyalty
Silence on a rape and about ghost workers were evidence of political loyalty that should save a state worker facing discipline, according to an email uncovered in an open records request.
Illinois ethics panel begins with small ethical lapse
Illinois ethics panel begins with small ethical lapse
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker appointed a former state lawmaker to his panel on ethics and lobbying. Trouble was, the lawmaker had recently worked as a lobbyist.
2019 laws in review, Illinois lawmakers passed both nice and naughty bills
2019 laws in review, Illinois lawmakers passed both nice and naughty bills
The Illinois General Assembly passed over 600 new laws in 2019. Some helped taxpayers, but many more hurt as they spent $85 billion while doing little to fix the pension crisis.
Chicago City Council votes to ban lobbying by elected leaders
Chicago City Council votes to ban lobbying by elected leaders
Chicago’s second round of anti-corruption rules restricts aldermen and city employees from working as lobbyists and stops other elected leaders from lobbying city government for private clients.
Feds investigating former Cook County assessor, Madigan rainmaker Joe Berrios
Feds investigating former Cook County assessor, Madigan rainmaker Joe Berrios
The probe potentially opens up a new front in authorities’ investigation of House Speaker Mike Madigan: the property tax appeals game from which he has made millions.
Sexual harassment case against Madigan campaign ends with $275K settlement
Sexual harassment case against Madigan campaign ends with $275K settlement
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan settled a sexual harassment case involving his former political lieutenant, but the related corruption implications are far from over.
FBI asking about Madigan money, political clout in corruption investigation
FBI asking about Madigan money, political clout in corruption investigation
There is little doubt the FBI is targeting the longtime House speaker and Democratic political boss in their sweeping investigation of Illinois corruption.
Illinois lawmakers should hold Pritzker to his ‘fair maps’ promise
Illinois lawmakers should hold Pritzker to his ‘fair maps’ promise
Even without a constitutional amendment, there are changes lawmakers could make as soon as session resumes to get politics out of mapmaking.
Look past the faces of Illinois corruption to see the larger problem
Look past the faces of Illinois corruption to see the larger problem
Focus too much on single aspects of Illinois corruption and the big picture will be lost, along with chances to fix the problems.
Sandoval resigns Senate seat amid federal corruption probe, effective Jan. 1
Sandoval resigns Senate seat amid federal corruption probe, effective Jan. 1
The once-powerful state officeholder previously resigned as chairman of the influential Illinois Senate Transportation Committee in October.
Illinois bill would slow transition from lawmaker to lobbyist
Illinois bill would slow transition from lawmaker to lobbyist
Most states require a wait before lawmakers become lobbyists. Recent federal probes point out the need for Illinois to do the same.
Former City Colleges of Chicago leader charged in $350K kickback scheme
Former City Colleges of Chicago leader charged in $350K kickback scheme
Contracts went to relatives, associates of former vice chancellor in exchange for kickbacks, charges state. Some contracts required no work.
Leaked emails from federal investigation reveal Madigan as ‘Himself’
Leaked emails from federal investigation reveal Madigan as ‘Himself’
Federal authorities have obtained phone calls and emails from a key member of Madigan's political inner circle. Now that information is leaking.