How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois
How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois
Illinois can draw from other states’ experiences to solve its own gerrymandering problem. One solid solution is as close as Michigan.
How to use Illinois’ new permanent vote-by-mail system
How to use Illinois’ new permanent vote-by-mail system
Now that Illinois voters can permanently register to vote by mail, here are some issues to consider about casting a ballot from the kitchen table rather than a polling place.
Permanent vote-by-mail registration opens Aug. 10 in Illinois
Permanent vote-by-mail registration opens Aug. 10 in Illinois
Permanent vote by mail allows Illinoisans to vote at home, offering convenience and a chance to make better-informed decisions. Voters automatically receive a ballot for each future election, so illness or forgetfulness aren’t barriers to civic duty.
38 challengers give Illinois voters first choices in decades
38 challengers give Illinois voters first choices in decades
Alper Turan fled Iran 24 years ago to seek a better life for himself and his family. He wants to help his new home by being one of 38 candidates recruited by Illinois Policy to run for the Illinois General Assembly. He wants voters to have a choice.
Lightfoot’s limos get 5 speed camera tickets, pay none
Lightfoot’s limos get 5 speed camera tickets, pay none
Mayor Lori Lightfoot just cried ‘safety’ in fending off an effort to curb the speed cameras that issued more tickets than Chicago has residents. But her travel detail has its own need for speed: 3 speed cam tickets and 2 warnings.
Contempt citation No. 12: DCFS forces girl to wait 170 days in mental hospital
Contempt citation No. 12: DCFS forces girl to wait 170 days in mental hospital
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Director Marc Smith faces his 12th contempt of court order of 2022. In the latest, the judge ruled Smith failed to place a 15-year-old girl in proper housing for 170 days, leaving her in a mental hospital.
Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters
Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters
We too often call it the “Fourth of July” and lose sight of its true meaning – independence. Independence from tyranny and the freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness.
Taking a ballot selfie is a felony in Illinois
Taking a ballot selfie is a felony in Illinois
Voters wanting to share their Election Day pride best not do it with a voting booth selfie posted to social media. That’s a felony in Illinois.
Expanded vote-by-mail could boost Illinois turnout by over 200,000 annually
Expanded vote-by-mail could boost Illinois turnout by over 200,000 annually
Expanding permanent vote-by-mail options to all eligible voters while retaining in-person voting would likely increase turnout without giving any political party an advantage.
Audit reveals Illinois lost nearly $2 billion to COVID-19 unemployment fraud
Audit reveals Illinois lost nearly $2 billion to COVID-19 unemployment fraud
A state audit found the Illinois Department of Employment Security lost to fraud more than half of the $3.6 billion in federal COVID-19 dollars earmarked for out-of-work Illinoisans. The full scope of the unemployment fraud remains unknown.
Former state Rep. Luis Arroyo gets 57 months for bribery scheme
Former state Rep. Luis Arroyo gets 57 months for bribery scheme
The former Illinois House assistant majority leader now faces nearly 5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to accepting and soliciting bribes to expand sweepstakes gambling legislation in Springfield.
Chicago-area mayor guilty in red light camera bribery scheme
Chicago-area mayor guilty in red light camera bribery scheme
Oakbrook Terrace’s former mayor pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges related to red light cameras and faces up to five years in prison. The state recently shut off the cameras.
Madigan joked about ComEd bribes while in office
Madigan joked about ComEd bribes while in office
FBI recordings revealed new details about indicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his scheme to exchange political favors for patronage appointments. He made a joke out of it.
Primary voting begins in Illinois: Here are how-tos, FAQs
Primary voting begins in Illinois: Here are how-tos, FAQs
May 19 was the start of voting for the June 28 primary for early in-person voting and for those who’ve requested mail-in ballots.