Bill to honor Barack Obama’s birthday headed to Gov. Rauner
Bill to honor Barack Obama’s birthday headed to Gov. Rauner
Illinois Senate Bill 55 would observe former President Barack Obama’s Aug. 4 birthday, but keep state facilities open.
Lisa Madigan seeks record-breaking 5th term as Illinois attorney general
Lisa Madigan seeks record-breaking 5th term as Illinois attorney general
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan will look to extend her record as the longest-serving attorney general in Illinois history. Her father, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, has remained the state’s most powerful state legislative leader throughout her tenure.
Mautino committee fined $5K for campaign finance disclosure violations
Mautino committee fined $5K for campaign finance disclosure violations
The Illinois State Board of Elections cast a tie vote on whether to refer to the Illinois attorney general or LaSalle County state’s attorney the disclosure violations case regarding Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino’s previous campaign funds.
High-ranking official in secretary of state’s office under investigation
High-ranking official in secretary of state’s office under investigation
The details of an investigation into Candace Wanzo, an official in the Illinois secretary of state’s office, are not yet known, but she pleaded guilty to embezzlement before working for the secretary of state’s office.
Frank Mautino and the arrogance of Illinois’ political insiders
Frank Mautino and the arrogance of Illinois’ political insiders
State agencies have paid more than $270,000 to Mautino Distributing Company – most of it after Madigan brought Mautino into a leadership role in 2009.
Federal investigation exposes Madigan patronage
Federal investigation exposes Madigan patronage
With House Speaker Mike Madigan’s longevity comes a patronage army paid with public dollars.
New bill would identify Illinois lawmakers who haven’t filed tax returns
New bill would identify Illinois lawmakers who haven’t filed tax returns
Illinois House Bill 4039 would reveal publicly the names of state lawmakers who haven’t filed their state tax returns.
Mautino pleads the Fifth in campaign finance case
Mautino pleads the Fifth in campaign finance case
The gas the Mautino campaign claims to have purchased over 16 years would equate to more than 35,000 miles every year. The circumference of the earth is 24,901 miles.
Madigan has spent nearly $170,000 in campaign funds on baseball tickets in 2017
Madigan has spent nearly $170,000 in campaign funds on baseball tickets in 2017
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan reportedly uses his large quantity of Cubs and White Sox tickets as gifts for his political volunteers, but his history with professional sports teams in Chicago isn’t so generous.
Illinois General Assembly proposes new internet privacy protections
Illinois General Assembly proposes new internet privacy protections
As the federal government repeals regulations requiring broadband companies to obtain consumers’ consent before using their browsing history and other personal information to create targeted ads, Illinois state politicians are moving to ramp up privacy protections. However, whether these bills would actually further those privacy goals or whether they would merely bolster Illinois’ class-action lawsuit industry while burdening businesses are open questions.
Illinois House passes bill to allow residents to dissolve townships
Illinois House passes bill to allow residents to dissolve townships
On March 29, the Illinois House of Representatives voted almost unanimously in favor of allowing voters to decide on local government consolidation – a crucial component of shrinking local government spending, which drives up property taxes. State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, sponsored House Bill 496, which received bipartisan support – more than a dozen representatives...
Court strikes down ban on campaign contributions from medical marijuana licensees
Court strikes down ban on campaign contributions from medical marijuana licensees
“By singling out medical cannabis organizations,” Judge Lee wrote, the state of Illinois appeared to be favoring certain speakers based on their viewpoints – precisely the type of discrimination the Supreme Court has disapproved of in the past.
Illinois politicians dub March 8 ‘Cubs Day’ despite contentious history
Illinois politicians dub March 8 ‘Cubs Day’ despite contentious history
Springfield lawmakers passed a ceremonial resolution March 8 congratulating the Chicago Cubs on winning the 2016 World Series. But that pat on the back doesn’t make up for the adversarial relationship politicians have held with the Cubs and other professional sports franchises in Chicago.
Useless committees provide political pay raises for state lawmakers
Useless committees provide political pay raises for state lawmakers
Buried in the House rules lawmakers passed in January are a dozen new committees, bringing the total number of standing committees in the House to 45. Committee chairs receive a $10,326 stipend annually.