Good Government

Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process

The little-known legislative rules that govern the legislative process in the Illinois House of Representatives give the House speaker extraordinary power to orchestrate the legislative or political outcomes he or she wants. Those rules allow the speaker to influence the makeup of legislative committees; how lawmakers vote; and when, if ever, the bills get voted...

By Joe Tabor, Ted Dabrowski

New Illinois laws going into effect in 2017

2017 will usher in more transparency and opportunity in areas from criminal justice to government employee expenses to pensions.

By Brendan Bakala

2016 Corruption Watch: Chicago, East St. Louis take top corruption spots

This year was full of corruption and mismanagement from public officials, but four instances in particular stand out.

What 2017 brings the Illinois General Assembly: Lame duck and the end of Madigan’s supermajority

January 2017 will see a new General Assembly, but the lame duck session casts a long shadow over the new legislature.

By Heather Weiner

Springfield 2016: Taxpayer, criminal justice victories amid ongoing budget gridlock

Although the battle for the budget drags on, there were several important legislative wins for Illinoisans in 2016 including criminal justice reform, averting tax hikes, and stopping Madigan’s agenda in the lame duck session.

By Ari DeWolf

All I want for Christmas is a new speaker

If Democrats choose Madigan for the 17th time, he will be crowned the longest-serving House speaker in U.S. history.

By Austin Berg

7 public officials arrested in Metro East area on corruption charges

Corruption from several public officials in Metro East underscores the need for more government transparency in the area.

Local corruption hits Chicago, suburbs and downstate communities

November was a sad reminder of the corruption at various levels of Illinois government from retired House Speaker Denny Hastert to the small Village of Bellwood.

Madigan nears title of longest-serving House speaker in U.S. history

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan told reporters he has “overwhelming support” to be re-elected to his longtime post come January. Another two-year term would bring his total tenure as speaker of the House to 34 years.

By Austin Berg

Madigan’s millions: Why the speaker should release his tax returns

Every dollar Madigan earns back for his corporate clients makes someone else’s property-tax bill go up.

By Austin Berg

Madigan loses his supermajority in Illinois House

Illinois voters sent a clear message to the longtime House speaker Nov. 8: “enough.”

By Austin Berg

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel used private email account to talk with Clinton campaign

WikiLeaks latest revelations show Emanuel tried to get top staffer a job inside the Clinton campaign. Government at all levels must be transparent and accessible to the public. The use of private email accounts flouts efforts to hold government accountable and expose corruption.

By Brendan Bakala

Corruption Watch

October’s headlines featured backroom deals and financial mismanagement, all at taxpayers’ expense.

Group that blocked independent redistricting reform contributed $6.6M to Madigan-controlled political organizations

Since 1994, members of The People’s Map — which sued to keep a legislative map reform amendment off Illinois’ November ballot — and their employers have given over $6.6 million to Friends of Michael J. Madigan, the Democratic Majority and the Democratic Party of Illinois, which House Speaker Mike Madigan chairs.

By Eric Kohn