Corruption watch: March 2015
Corruption watch: March 2015
April showers bring May flowers, but all March gave us was 53 new corruption stories in Illinois.
Good government bill could mark turning point in statewide transparency
Good government bill could mark turning point in statewide transparency
HB 2717 would give taxpayers access to spending and decision-making documents
Committee deadline gives clues on what Rauner may sign this year
Committee deadline gives clues on what Rauner may sign this year
A budget fix, local-government transparency legislation and a patient-freedom bill advanced out of committee last week.
Chicago State president allegedly attempted to silence professor with false sexual-harassment claims
Chicago State president allegedly attempted to silence professor with false sexual-harassment claims
Chicago State University was among the 10 worst colleges for free speech in 2014. With the latest development in this case, it appears CSU is making a strong bid to hold that distinction in 2015 as well.
Preventing the next College of DuPage scandal: Transparency bills seek better online access
Preventing the next College of DuPage scandal: Transparency bills seek better online access
New bills aims to deliver on campaign promises of greater government transparency.
The NEIU land grab and a bill to stop it
The NEIU land grab and a bill to stop it
Just because a public entity wants land doesn’t mean it should be able to take it for any reason.
Simplifying Illinois’ labyrinthine law books
Simplifying Illinois’ labyrinthine law books
Illinois’ endless list of state statutes could use some spring cleaning.
Fire safety: Carpentersville election exposes loophole allowing government-union board members
Fire safety: Carpentersville election exposes loophole allowing government-union board members
Local-government employees are typically barred from serving in local elected office, given they’d be sitting on both sides of the bargaining table. But one group of public employees is exempt from this sensible safeguard: firefighters.
2 Illinois universities among worst in the nation for free speech
2 Illinois universities among worst in the nation for free speech
Universities are supposed to be safe havens for controversial ideas, but at least 10 Illinois universities have one or more policies that clearly and substantially restrict freedom of speech.
Mayor Dave Schmidt, good-government advocate, remembered
Mayor Dave Schmidt, good-government advocate, remembered
In a state notorious for its troubles with public corruption, the loss of a leader like Dave Schmidt will leave a void that will be difficult to fill.
Restoring state pride
Restoring state pride
There are transformational changes on the horizon in Illinois.
Illinois 36th, Indiana 3rd in new state freedom index
Illinois 36th, Indiana 3rd in new state freedom index
Lack of school choice, a stifling regulatory climate and high taxes puts Illinois in the bottom third of the country on the First in Freedom Index.
Emails reveal Rock Island superintendents used public resources to push tax hike
Emails reveal Rock Island superintendents used public resources to push tax hike
District superintendents and the regional superintendent from Rock Island County coordinated with an active political action committee to push a sales-tax hike.
Rosemont raises the curtain on $1M deal with Garth Brooks
Rosemont raises the curtain on $1M deal with Garth Brooks
How village officials used public money to pad the pockets of one of the most successful artists of all time, and tried to keep it a secret.