Rauner signs bill shedding light on school district administrative spending
Rauner signs bill shedding light on school district administrative spending
The new law will bring more transparency to Illinois school districts’ administrative costs, which are among the highest in the nation.
Rauner signs bill allowing consolidation of mosquito abatement districts
Rauner signs bill allowing consolidation of mosquito abatement districts
With the signing of Senate Bill 2543, taxpayers could soon see savings – and more efficiency – in local government.
Chicago Ald. Willie Cochran to plead guilty to corruption charges
Chicago Ald. Willie Cochran to plead guilty to corruption charges
The South Side alderman had been charged with stealing charity donations to finance his daughter’s college tuition payments and casino getaways in Indiana, among other offences.
By Vincent Caruso
Rauner signs bill lifting restrictions on craft breweries
Rauner signs bill lifting restrictions on craft breweries
Laws barring taprooms from serving hard cider – and craft beer produced by other breweries – are among the regulations bounced by House Bill 4897.
By Vincent Caruso
Study: Red-light cameras fail to reduce traffic accidents
Study: Red-light cameras fail to reduce traffic accidents
A recent analysis confirms what many Illinoisans already know: While red-light cameras serve as reliable sources of revenue, they do not improve public safety.
30 years later: How Madigan kept the Cubs in the dark
30 years later: How Madigan kept the Cubs in the dark
Thirty years ago Aug. 8, the Chicago Cubs played their first game under lights at Wrigley Field – after first battling Chicago politicians for the right to do so.
Settlement deal helps prevent parents’ nightmares from coming true
Settlement deal helps prevent parents’ nightmares from coming true
Vague, arbitrary and overly protective rules, like we see often in Illinois, don’t do anyone any favors.
By Austin Berg
Push to repeal Illinois’ fireworks ban gains momentum
Push to repeal Illinois’ fireworks ban gains momentum
A petition to repeal Illinois’ fireworks ban has garnered more than 7,000 signatures, as lawmakers in the General Assembly throw their support behind a bill that would do just that.
If Frank Mautino didn’t break the rules, the rules are broken
If Frank Mautino didn’t break the rules, the rules are broken
Mautino might not be corrupt. But his conduct mirrored that of a person engaging in corrupt behavior.
By Austin Berg
Illinois lawmaker introduces bill to repeal fireworks ban
Illinois lawmaker introduces bill to repeal fireworks ban
A new bill in the General Assembly would bring consumer fireworks back onto Illinois shelves for the first time in more than 75 years.
Obscure official made more than $2M off Illinois development authorities, connected side business
Obscure official made more than $2M off Illinois development authorities, connected side business
Andrew Hamilton and his consulting firm have collected more than $2 million from eight regional development authorities since 2010.
By Austin Berg, Eddie Damstra
More than 75 years later, Illinois’ fireworks ban still law of the land
More than 75 years later, Illinois’ fireworks ban still law of the land
Next year, state lawmakers should explore making rockets’ red glare a legal pastime instead of a liability.
By Austin Berg
Nepotistic hires highlight township government waste
Nepotistic hires highlight township government waste
Two McHenry County highway commissioners hired each other’s sons to township government positions in 2017. Despite concerns of nepotism, these practices are not uncommon in township government.
State government watchdogs remain far too tame
State government watchdogs remain far too tame
Illinoisans shouldn’t have to wait for yet another humiliating scandal to fix what’s wrong here: Politicians should have no place in policing their own oversight.
By Austin Berg