Pritzker changes mask rules in 35th COVID disaster proclamation
Pritzker changes mask rules in 35th COVID disaster proclamation
Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued his 35th COVID-19 disaster proclamation, extending his powers for 70% of his term.
Amendment 1 could block efforts to shrink Illinois’ 6,000-plus layers of government
Amendment 1 could block efforts to shrink Illinois’ 6,000-plus layers of government
Amendment 1 would empower government unions to the point that their contracts could prevent consolidation of Illinois’ nation-leading number of local governments. Neither state law nor voters would be able to do much about it.
AT&T Illinois fined $23 million for buying Madigan influence
AT&T Illinois fined $23 million for buying Madigan influence
AT&T Illinois will pay a $23 million fine for illegally influencing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Their former president, Paul La Schiazza, faces conspiracy charges.
Illinois early voting starts as vote-by-mail ballots go out
Illinois early voting starts as vote-by-mail ballots go out
With 40 days until the election, Illinois residents can vote early at their local county clerks’ office. Vote-by-mail ballots should arrive soon, but there is still time to apply for one.
Illinois Supreme Court rejects back pay for former state lawmakers
Illinois Supreme Court rejects back pay for former state lawmakers
In a unanimous decision, the Illinois Supreme Court denied a lawsuit by two former state senators seeking back pay. The senators bragged about voting against the raises, then decided they deserved them after leaving office.
Pritzker tells 2 state senators to resign after corruption allegations
Pritzker tells 2 state senators to resign after corruption allegations
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is demanding resignations from two longtime Democratic state senators. One faces federal bribery charges in connection with red-light cameras. The other allegations of domestic abuse and harassment of a top staffer.
State senator faces federal bribery charges in red-light camera scheme
State senator faces federal bribery charges in red-light camera scheme
Illinois state Sen. Emil Jones III is the latest politician charged with bribery as well as lying to the FBI in a corruption probe involving red-light cameras.
Pritzker signs 34th consecutive emergency order as Biden declares COVID ‘over’
Pritzker signs 34th consecutive emergency order as Biden declares COVID ‘over’
Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued his 34th disaster proclamation regarding COVID-19, extending his emergency powers to nearly 70% of his term. President Joe Biden said the pandemic is done.
Illinois Supreme Court chief justice retiring ahead of husband’s corruption trial
Illinois Supreme Court chief justice retiring ahead of husband’s corruption trial
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne Burke will retire Nov. 30, allowing her replacement to be appointed rather than elected. Her husband, Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, faces reelection in February and a corruption trial in late 2023.
Pritzker blind trust companies hold $20 billion in state contracts
Pritzker blind trust companies hold $20 billion in state contracts
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s blind trust of investments includes 12 different companies with $20 billion in state contracts since he took office.
Illinois special interests seize power through low voter turnout
Illinois special interests seize power through low voter turnout
Illinois mandates off-year municipal elections, but they result in lower voter turnout that gives powerful special interest groups more influence and diminishes local voters’ concerns.
9 myths about mail-in voting in Illinois
9 myths about mail-in voting in Illinois
Illinois citizens can now permanently register to vote by mail, allowing residents to cast their ballots from the comfort of their own home. Here are the facts about mail-in voting.
Pritzker administration failed to report unemployment fraud data
Pritzker administration failed to report unemployment fraud data
A U.S. Department of Labor report stated Illinois failed to report theft of pandemic relief money as required. Illinois lost over half of pandemic unemployment funds to fraud.
How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois
How to stop gerrymandering in Illinois
Illinois can draw from other states’ experiences to solve its own gerrymandering problem. One solid solution is as close as Michigan.