Prohibition, prostitution and Chicago’s mini-fiefdoms
Prohibition, prostitution and Chicago’s mini-fiefdoms
A principle once invoked to shake down speakeasies is now used to pick winners and losers in a city desperate for opportunity.
It’s time to end Illinois’ fireworks ban
It’s time to end Illinois’ fireworks ban
The Land of Lincoln is one of only seven states to impose harsh restrictions on the sale and possession of fireworks.
Illinois needs a taxpayer bill of rights
Illinois needs a taxpayer bill of rights
Illinoisans need a taxpayer bill of rights so that politicians must ask permission from voters if they want to raise taxes.
How Madigan became king
How Madigan became king
Madigan is the longest-serving House speaker in Illinois history and one of the longest-serving state House speakers in United States history.
May Corruption Watch
May Corruption Watch
May’s corruption headlines show the steep cost nontransparent government can have on taxpayers.
Madigan’s rules: How one man controls Illinois
Madigan’s rules: How one man controls Illinois
Illinoisans may elect who goes to the House of Representatives, but they don’t choose their representation – at least not in any meaningful sense. The power belongs to Madigan. And he represents himself.
Auditor general: Illinois Lottery made illegal $20 million prepayment just ahead of budget stalemate
Auditor general: Illinois Lottery made illegal $20 million prepayment just ahead of budget stalemate
The Illinois auditor general found the Illinois Lottery in violation of a state finance law for paying $20 million to ensure that, even in the absence of a state budget, Illinois could continue to participate in the Mega Millions and Powerball games.
Illinois will use facial-recognition technology to create new driver’s licenses, raising privacy concerns
Illinois will use facial-recognition technology to create new driver’s licenses, raising privacy concerns
Illinois’ new program to create driver’s licenses and state ID cards with enhanced security features has generated concerns over the possibility of identity theft and government tracking of private citizens.
Madigan lawyer sues to block fair-map amendment
Madigan lawyer sues to block fair-map amendment
In Illinois, politicians pick their voters.
Illinois gets $3.5M windfall as motorists rack up fees for late vehicle registration
Illinois gets $3.5M windfall as motorists rack up fees for late vehicle registration
Illinois motorists have paid more than $6.5 million this year for failing to renew vehicle license plates on time, more than double the amount collected in the same four-month span last year.
Madigan continues to block term limits
Madigan continues to block term limits
Madigan has been in office since 1971 and has served as Illinois House speaker for 31 of the past 33 years.
Illinois House passes local-government consolidation bill
Illinois House passes local-government consolidation bill
DuPage County is projected to save millions of dollars through government-consolidation authority it has enjoyed for years. Now, the Illinois House of Representatives has voted in favor of a bill that would expand these capabilities to all counties statewide.
Local government transparency bill clears Illinois House
Local government transparency bill clears Illinois House
House Bill 5522 would require local governments and school districts in Illinois to maintain websites with links to vital public information such as budgets, expenditures and officials’ names and numbers.
3 Illinois Policy Action bills advance out of committee before April deadline
3 Illinois Policy Action bills advance out of committee before April deadline
Local government transparency, local government consolidation and criminal justice reform gain traction despite politicized legislature.