Adam Harjung
Adam Harjung
“It’s so unacceptable that people are sitting, waiting for money and starving. In the meantime, we also face the [second-highest] property taxes in the nation. We’re getting creamed on every aspect in Illinois.”
Former state lawmaker used bribes to promote red-light cameras in Chicago suburb, feds charge
Former state lawmaker used bribes to promote red-light cameras in Chicago suburb, feds charge
New federal corruption charges state a former Illinois House member conspired to use bribes to get a red-light traffic camera contract renewed and more of them installed in a suburban Chicago community. Traffic cameras collected $5.5 million during a decade in the suburb.
Illinois lawmakers tackle balloons, pitchfork fishing, but keep residents in dark on ethics reforms
Illinois lawmakers tackle balloons, pitchfork fishing, but keep residents in dark on ethics reforms
The Illinois General Assembly busies itself with limiting balloon releases and regulating pitchfork fishing along highways when ethics reform is the need in a state with a rich history of corruption.
Illinois may become 2nd state allowing financial services run on cryptocurrency
Illinois may become 2nd state allowing financial services run on cryptocurrency
The Illinois House unanimously passed a bill intended to help make Chicago and Illinois a hub for financial technology companies.
No more Madigans, maybe, as 10-year term limits for legislative leaders passes Illinois House
No more Madigans, maybe, as 10-year term limits for legislative leaders passes Illinois House
Illinois state representatives almost unanimously voted to stop legislative leaders from again building a 36-year dynasty like former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan. The Illinois House passed a 10-year term limit on party leaders in both the Illinois House and Senate.
Illinoisans have less than 6 months left to get their REAL ID
Illinoisans have less than 6 months left to get their REAL ID
Oct. 1 deadline looms even as five Chicago-area driver’s service centers have remained closed for a year and 1.2 million licenses and IDs have expired.
Feds call Chicago Ald. Ed Burke ‘thoroughly corrupt’
Feds call Chicago Ald. Ed Burke ‘thoroughly corrupt’
Chicago’s longest-serving alderman, Ed Burke, tried to extort redevelopers of the old West Loop post office and others. They said there was no need to entrap Burke because his hand was regularly out.
5 Illinois driver’s license facilities closed nearly a year in Chicago area
5 Illinois driver’s license facilities closed nearly a year in Chicago area
State workers are still being paid as their five Chicago-area driver’s license facilities remain closed for nearly a year. That’s as 1.2 million Illinoisans are driving on expired licenses.
Civic Federation finds nearly 9,000 tax-guzzling government units in Illinois
Civic Federation finds nearly 9,000 tax-guzzling government units in Illinois
A recent comprehensive analysis found the real number of government units in Illinois is 30% higher than the U.S. Census Bureau’s count. Too many government units mean too many taxes.
Bill fights Illinois corruption with online access to government spending, records
Bill fights Illinois corruption with online access to government spending, records
Putting the public’s business on public display can help Illinois reform its culture of corruption and control government waste. An Illinois House bill will put more local government records online.
Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions may return to parts of Illinois
Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions may return to parts of Illinois
COVID-19 cases are again on the rise. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker may again impose restrictions on parts of the state.
Ald. Burke, Sen. Sandoval political crony guilty of lying about bribes
Ald. Burke, Sen. Sandoval political crony guilty of lying about bribes
A longtime political operative for Chicago Ald. Ed Burke and the late state Sen. Martin Sandoval pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about bribes.
Two Illinois border states revoke governors’ mask mandates
Two Illinois border states revoke governors’ mask mandates
High courts in Wisconsin and Michigan have both ruled governors cannot repeatedly issue disaster declarations as a basis for mask mandates and other orders without legislative approval. A year into the pandemic, Illinois’ governor is still doing it.
Former state senator, ComEd lobbyist faces tax fraud indictment
Former state senator, ComEd lobbyist faces tax fraud indictment
A former Illinois state senator was charged with federal income tax crimes. Her Senate financial disclosure statement shows why they are known as ‘none’ sheets. Reforms are needed.