Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters
Call it Independence Day – the meaning matters
Happy Fourth of July? Nope. We should always call it Independence Day. It reminds us of what we celebrate and what it means.
Mac Hoffmann: former Statehouse staffer turns Madigan downfall into folk music
Mac Hoffmann: former Statehouse staffer turns Madigan downfall into folk music
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan may be heading for a 7.5-year stint in the federal pen, but his corrupt legend lives on thanks to a folk song by a former staffer.
Mac Hoffmann: former Statehouse staffer turns Madigan downfall into folk music
Mac Hoffmann: former Statehouse staffer turns Madigan downfall into folk music
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan may be heading for a 7.5-year stint in the federal pen, but his corrupt legend lives on thanks to a folk song by a former staffer
Fireworks freedom denied: Illinois 1 of only 3 states still saying ‘no’
Fireworks freedom denied: Illinois 1 of only 3 states still saying ‘no’
While 47 states celebrate freedom with fireworks blazing across the sky, Illinois clings to a 1942 ban that limits autonomy and ignores safety data. Illinois residents cross state lines to partake in fireworks fun, while the state loses revenue and credibility.
Chicago’s South Side gets over 3X tickets per red-light cam as North Side
Chicago’s South Side gets over 3X tickets per red-light cam as North Side
Red-light cameras on Chicago’s South Side issued more than triple the number of tickets per intersection as on the North Side between June 2024 and May 2025. Fines citywide dropped over $12 million from the previous 12 months.
July 1 starts Illinois laws on gender-inclusiveness, climate education, prostitution privacy
July 1 starts Illinois laws on gender-inclusiveness, climate education, prostitution privacy
Climate change education, gender inclusiveness, birth certificates, prostitution privacy, court translators and insulin costs all received attention from the Illinois General Assembly. Laws involving them take effect July 1. Plus, the state gasoline tax goes up.
Illinois lawmakers only attach price tags to 10 of 3,859 bills
Illinois lawmakers only attach price tags to 10 of 3,859 bills
For most bills filed in Springfield, taxpayers will have to guess at how much more will be demanded of them. Illinois General Assembly members only worried about costs 10 times for 3,859 of their bright ideas about how to improve the state.
Illinois lawmakers pass almost 100 bills on final day
Illinois lawmakers pass almost 100 bills on final day
Illinois General Assembly members raced the clock to pass legislation. Of the 416 bills sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk this session, 155 were passed in the final week and 96 of those were on the last day.
When GOP gets just 14% of state legislation, Illinois has a legislative map problem
When GOP gets just 14% of state legislation, Illinois has a legislative map problem
6,745 bills were filed in the Illinois General Assembly this session, but only a small fraction passed both houses. Of those, 86% were introduced by Democrats. That big disparity is rooted in Democrats drawing legislative districts that shrink opposition.
Madigan will see plenty of corrupt Illinois cronies during 7.5 years in federal pen
Madigan will see plenty of corrupt Illinois cronies during 7.5 years in federal pen
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan will face 7.5 years in prison for a bribery scheme involving the state’s largest utility company. When it comes to public corruption, he’s Illinois’ convict of the week.
How Illinois political insiders protected Madigan, rewarded themselves
How Illinois political insiders protected Madigan, rewarded themselves
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was sentenced to 7.5 years in prison but his allies now run the Illinois House and Illinois Democratic Party. The rules he created to run his machine still work for new operators.
Gerrymandering: Madigan’s legacy of letting politicians choose their voters
Gerrymandering: Madigan’s legacy of letting politicians choose their voters
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s sentencing to 7.5 years for bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud ends his active role in Illinois politics. But his legacy of gerrymandering will continue to shape Illinois politics long after he’s behind bars.
Who in Springfield still owes Mike Madigan for getting elected?
Who in Springfield still owes Mike Madigan for getting elected?
Think former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s influence ended when he resigned or was convicted of bribery? Maybe not. Fifty-seven Illinois General Assembly members who received funds from Madigan’s political committees are still in office.
Think Illinois spends millions on migrants? Wrong. It spends billions.
Think Illinois spends millions on migrants? Wrong. It spends billions.
Illinois will have spent over $2.5 billion on migrant care by the end of 2025. Costs have shattered projections and left taxpayers poorer.