How COVID-19 is throwing Illinoisans’ next choices for Congress in doubt
How COVID-19 is throwing Illinoisans’ next choices for Congress in doubt
Because of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau will not have the data for states’ political redistricting until the end of September. Illinois faces problems likely to land any political maps in court.
By Joe Tabor
Madigan quits as party chair day after picking his House successor
Madigan quits as party chair day after picking his House successor
Mike Madigan quit as Democratic Party of Illinois chairman a day after picking his successor for the Illinois House, four days after resigning as representative and one month after he was ousted as the nation's longest-serving Statehouse speaker.
By Brad Weisenstein
After 50 years in Illinois House, 36 years ruling it, Mike Madigan is quitting
After 50 years in Illinois House, 36 years ruling it, Mike Madigan is quitting
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is resigning as a state representative after 50 years in office. It came a little more than a month after he was ousted as speaker.
By Brad Weisenstein
Full text: Mike Madigan’s resignation statement
Full text: Mike Madigan’s resignation statement
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is resigning as a state representative after 50 years in office.
Illinois’ U.S. Senators urge Biden to keep public corruption-fighting prosecutor
Illinois’ U.S. Senators urge Biden to keep public corruption-fighting prosecutor
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan and Chicago Ald. Ed Burke are among the politicians curbed by Chicago’s current U.S. Attorney. A bipartisan group is trying to keep him in place to continue public corruption prosecutions.
By Patrick Andriesen
With Madigan out, now is the time to reform the House Rules
With Madigan out, now is the time to reform the House Rules
The House Rules allowed Madigan to accumulate unprecedented power in the Illinois speaker’s office and helped enable a culture of corruption in Springfield. With Madigan out, reformers have a shot at changing the House Rules.
By Joe Tabor
How to dismantle the Illinois Machine
How to dismantle the Illinois Machine
If Illinois House members change their rules, they can give Illinoisans more say in how their state government works.
By Joe Tabor
Madigan leaves trial lawyers with parting gift: up to 2 years of 9% interest
Madigan leaves trial lawyers with parting gift: up to 2 years of 9% interest
Lame duck lawmakers and the outgoing Illinois House speaker are trying to hand trial lawyers some extra cash. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is being urged to veto the bill.
By Brad Weisenstein
Lightfoot pushes Pritzker to ease restrictions as dining resumes in southern, central Illinois
Lightfoot pushes Pritzker to ease restrictions as dining resumes in southern, central Illinois
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she wants Gov. J.B. Pritzker to give city residents more freedom to drink and dine out. Two other Illinois regions were just granted more liberty to do so.
By Brad Weisenstein
Illinois lawmakers hand Pritzker another tax loss, pass Chicago pension hike
Illinois lawmakers hand Pritzker another tax loss, pass Chicago pension hike
Lame duck session was busy even when House Democrats weren’t focused on replacing Mike Madigan as speaker. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s small business tax hike died as 23 bills were passed, including one making Chicago’s pension woes worse.
Madigan’s reign ends as longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history
Madigan’s reign ends as longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history
Illinoisans watched the politically impossible become the politically inevitable.
By Austin Berg
Illinois House in limbo until speaker is elected
Illinois House in limbo until speaker is elected
With Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan reportedly short of the 60 votes needed to hold on to the speakership, Illinois House members will have to line up behind a new candidate before they can get down to business.
By Joe Tabor
Illinois was most corrupt of 10 largest states under Madigan’s reign
Illinois was most corrupt of 10 largest states under Madigan’s reign
Illinois averaged over one federal public corruption conviction a week during the Madigan era. That is the most convictions per capita among the top 10 most populous states between 1983 and 2018.
By Joe Tabor
51 House Democrats back Madigan for speaker in caucus vote
51 House Democrats back Madigan for speaker in caucus vote
See who your representative backed in a historic fight for the Illinois House speakership.
By Austin Berg