The cost of crossing Madigan
The cost of crossing Madigan
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s election to the speaker position in 16 of the last 17 legislative sessions is a testament to the loyalty he demands from his Democratic colleagues.
Leaked Clinton emails display Madigan’s power ahead of documentary release
Leaked Clinton emails display Madigan’s power ahead of documentary release
Madigan rules Illinois with an iron grip. And failure to follow through on a favor can come with dire consequences.
Chicago alderman wants to limit trick-or-treating due to creepy clowns
Chicago alderman wants to limit trick-or-treating due to creepy clowns
Despite the city’s impending teachers strike, unaffordable pension debt and declining population, a Chicago alderman warns against late night trick-or-treating for fear of clowns.
The Illinoisans who vote for Madigan
The Illinoisans who vote for Madigan
Just as Illinoisans elect state representatives, state representatives elect the speaker of the House every two years. To become the speaker, Madigan just needs a majority vote.
Madigan’s army: Power through patronage
Madigan’s army: Power through patronage
Illinoisans have the lowest trust in state government of any state in the nation.
Rauner lays off final 29 patronage hires made by previous governors
Rauner lays off final 29 patronage hires made by previous governors
Gov. Bruce Rauner has laid off dozens of workers at a state agency, all political hires under previous governors.
Illinois Supreme Court strikes down remap referendum
Illinois Supreme Court strikes down remap referendum
The Illinois Supreme Court affirmed an earlier decision keeping the legislative mapmaking process in political hands.
Why Madigan wants the map
Why Madigan wants the map
Illinois politicians love to be involved in choosing their voters, especially Madigan.
July corruption watch
July corruption watch
Chicago leads the way in numerous corruption headlines yet again.
Mapping a way to term limits
Mapping a way to term limits
More than 60 percent of Illinois’ state legislative races in 2016 will be uncontested.
Lake Zurich school district will use fingerprint IDs for student purchases
Lake Zurich school district will use fingerprint IDs for student purchases
Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 joins a growing number of Illinois school districts instituting biometric-information-based technology for purchases, raising concerns about privacy.
Madigan’s map: Cook County judge blocks redistricting reform efforts
Madigan’s map: Cook County judge blocks redistricting reform efforts
A longtime associate of House Speaker Mike Madigan is working to silence Illinois voters on the subject of political mapmaking.
Chicago City Council aims to crowd ballot with needless referendums
Chicago City Council aims to crowd ballot with needless referendums
City Council violates procedural rules and plays political games to put popular, but toothless, measures on the ballot and protect the mayor and bureaucrats from any real challenges to their power.
Corruption Watch
Corruption Watch
Headlines in June show why Chicago is considered one of the most corrupt cities in the world.