Pritzker under federal investigation for property tax scheme
Pritzker under federal investigation for property tax scheme
Removing toilets from the governor’s Gold Coast mansion saved his family more than $331,000 in property taxes.
To end gerrymandering, Pritzker should push redistricting reform
To end gerrymandering, Pritzker should push redistricting reform
Illinois’ governor pledged to veto any map gerrymandered by state lawmakers, but it’s the process of mapmaking that needs to change.
Parents could get more say about leaving preteens home alone after Illinois House passes bill
Parents could get more say about leaving preteens home alone after Illinois House passes bill
Illinois parents can face neglect charges for leaving a 13-year-old home alone. The Illinois House just took a step toward relaxing the nation’s strictest law on unattended children.
Illinois voters could eliminate townships that share city limits under bill
Illinois voters could eliminate townships that share city limits under bill
Illinois townships often spend more on administration than services when they cover the same territory as a local municipality. One bill would make it easier for voters to change that.
How local government spends your taxes soon may be a click away
How local government spends your taxes soon may be a click away
Local governments must maintain certain financial records, but not all make it easy for taxpayers to obtain it. A bill headed to the Illinois House floor would put local government financial records online.
Another Chicago alderman pleads guilty to corruption charges
Another Chicago alderman pleads guilty to corruption charges
South Side Ald. Willie Cochran pleaded guilty March 21 to felony wire fraud for spending his ward’s charity funds on personal expenses. That’s 30 Chicago aldermen convicted of corruption since 1972.
Judge orders arrest of 2 former Madigan operatives
Judge orders arrest of 2 former Madigan operatives
Two former political workers for longtime Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan failed to attend depositions in a lawsuit alleging Madigan backed “sham candidates” in his 2016 primary election.
House bill would merge Cook County forest preserve police with county sheriff
House bill would merge Cook County forest preserve police with county sheriff
A bill in the Illinois House seeks to transfer policing authority from the Cook County Forest Preserve District to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, potentially saving taxpayers millions.
Illinois taxpayers could cut back local governments under bipartisan bill
Illinois taxpayers could cut back local governments under bipartisan bill
The Citizens Empowerment Act would let taxpayers cut local government at the ballot box. Illinois lawmakers from both parties are backing it.
Senate Bill could stop drainage districts from draining tax dollars
Senate Bill could stop drainage districts from draining tax dollars
Illinois has more than 850 drainage districts. A bill in the Illinois Senate could eliminate some of those government units – and save the tax dollars that support them.
Illinois House bill would close judicial elections loophole
Illinois House bill would close judicial elections loophole
A legal tactic intended to make it easier for Illinois judges to stay on the bench is under fire. An Illinois House bill aims to close the loophole, which four southwestern Illinois judges used in bids to dilute voters’ power.
Report: Chicago area most corrupt in nation
Report: Chicago area most corrupt in nation
Chicagoland and northern Illinois have seen more corrupt public officials put behind bars than any other part of the nation, an analysis found.
Madigan aides sought out, assisted alleged ‘sham’ candidates in primary election
Madigan aides sought out, assisted alleged ‘sham’ candidates in primary election
Madigan’s 2016 primary opponent filed a lawsuit alleging the House speaker recruited “sham” candidates in order to dilute opposition.
Proposed amendment would place term limits on top Illinois lawmakers
Proposed amendment would place term limits on top Illinois lawmakers
A lawmaker would only be allowed to serve in the powerful role of Illinois House speaker for a maximum of eight years under a proposed constitutional amendment recently introduced in the General Assembly.