Illinoisans have nation’s lowest trust in state government by far
Illinoisans have nation’s lowest trust in state government by far
New polling data show nearly 3 in 4 Illinoisans lack confidence in Springfield.
Obama’s birthday could become next state government holiday
Obama’s birthday could become next state government holiday
A bill introduced by state Rep. Andre Thapedi, D-Chicago, would make President Barack Obama’s Aug. 4 birthday Illinois’ 13th paid state holiday.
Illinois corruption watch: January 2016
Illinois corruption watch: January 2016
In January several instances of corruption, influence peddling and mismanagement across Illinois were brought to light, from the College of DuPage’s expense-account mismanagement, to Chicago’s red-light-camera bribery case.
Chicago City Council passes weakened oversight ordinance at Burke’s bidding
Chicago City Council passes weakened oversight ordinance at Burke’s bidding
Chicago aldermen voted in favor of an ordinance that was changed to shield City Council from the auditing powers of Inspector General Joe Ferguson.
Chicago aldermen look to kneecap oversight in City Council vote
Chicago aldermen look to kneecap oversight in City Council vote
Aldermen say they want oversight, but they don’t want anyone to be able to audit them. What do they have to hide?
Center of Chicago red-light-camera scandal found guilty on all charges
Center of Chicago red-light-camera scandal found guilty on all charges
A federal jury convicted former transportation official John Bills of fraud, extortion, bribery and more.
Wheatland Township earns Sunshine Award with perfect online transparency score
Wheatland Township earns Sunshine Award with perfect online transparency score
Wheatland Township’s “transparency portal” provides residents access to important government information.
Oversight of Chicago City Council coming soon
Oversight of Chicago City Council coming soon
At its next meeting in February, City Council will likely approve legislation to expand the scope of the inspector general’s role to overseeing aldermen.
Court testimony: Center of Chicago red-light-camera scandal ordered donations to Madigan’s political organization
Court testimony: Center of Chicago red-light-camera scandal ordered donations to Madigan’s political organization
Redflex bagman Martin O’Malley says John Bills ordered him to pay thousands of dollars to Mike Madigan’s 13th Ward Democratic Organization.
How the Liberty Justice Center fought for freedom in 2015
How the Liberty Justice Center fought for freedom in 2015
From challenging the forced unionization of home caregivers and day care providers to suing to stop Chicago from collecting a “Netflix tax,” the Liberty Justice Center has fought for its clients’ constitutional rights and against illegal taxation.
Best new laws of 2015
Best new laws of 2015
From a ban on creating new units of local government to the end of Chicago’s happy-hour prohibition, here are five laws passed in 2015 worth celebrating.
Top 5 corruption stories of 2015
Top 5 corruption stories of 2015
From taxpayer- and donor-funded spending sprees by the president of an Illinois public college, to Chicago’s red-light-camera ticketing and kick-back schemes, 2015 has been rife with instances of public corruption and lack of government transparency.
Lisa Madigan outlaws fantasy sports for Illinois
Lisa Madigan outlaws fantasy sports for Illinois
Shortly before bowl season kicks off for college football and just over two weeks before the NFL playoffs begin, Illinois’ Attorney General has ruled that fantasy sports are illegal. A bill to regulate the industry was introduced in October.
“Home Alone”: How one extreme Illinois case led to overbroad laws about child supervision
“Home Alone”: How one extreme Illinois case led to overbroad laws about child supervision
Illinois’ real-life “Home Alone” story inspired legislation that gives the state too much power to intrude into parents’ reasonable decisions about their children.