New rules for IL General Assembly display politics as usual
New rules for IL General Assembly display politics as usual
Among the changes is a new posting requirement that provides only a one-hour notice before a committee hearing, diminishing transparency and accountability.
By Jane McEnaney
Wayne County superintendent solicits school vendors for political contributions
Wayne County superintendent solicits school vendors for political contributions
Mitchell’s email documents his efforts to political fundraise off of vendors who have done business with his school district in the past.
By Brian Costin
College of DuPage president gets golden parachute in wake of scandals
College of DuPage president gets golden parachute in wake of scandals
College President Robert Breuder will receive a $762,868 severance.
By Austin Berg
Illinois law allows schools to demand students’ Facebook passwords
Illinois law allows schools to demand students’ Facebook passwords
Illinois schools can demand students’ social-media passwords under HB 4207.
By Austin Berg
Executive orders strike sharp contrast between Quinn and Rauner
Executive orders strike sharp contrast between Quinn and Rauner
Within hours of being sworn in as governor, Rauner offered a stark contrast by issuing a freeze on all non-essential spending, immediately followed by ethics and transparency executive orders aimed at deconstructing the disappointing status quo of Springfield politics.
By Matt Paprocki
Illinois Corruption Watch: December 2014
Illinois Corruption Watch: December 2014
The residential-center horror stories demonstrate that corruption in government often hurts the most vulnerable among us. It also shows that exposing those injustices can lead to change.
By Brian Costin
Rauner enacts transparency reforms by executive order
Rauner enacts transparency reforms by executive order
Executive order regarding posting of new hires signals possible shift in government transparency under new administration.
By Brian Costin
Quinn finds millions for dog parks, disc golf and bathhouses
Quinn finds millions for dog parks, disc golf and bathhouses
Gov. Pat Quinn doled out $24 million in taxpayer money during his last days in office.
By Brian Costin
Illinois’ 5 best new laws of 2015
Illinois’ 5 best new laws of 2015
Five reforms effective Jan. 1, 2015 will improve government transparency and protect individual rights:
By Bryant Jackson-Green
Illinois Policy victories: 2014 in review
Illinois Policy victories: 2014 in review
Tax relief, worker freedom and a health-care win have set the stage for an Illinois comeback in years to come.
By Jane McEnaney
Harvard study ranks Illinois among most corrupt states
Harvard study ranks Illinois among most corrupt states
The state’s entrenched culture of cronyism is blindingly clear, especially to those who report on it for a living.
By Brian Costin
Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2014
Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2014
In November, 13 of 53 Corruption Watch stories were related to policies and actions of criminal-justice authorities in Illinois.
By Brian Costin
Montgomery County superintendents consider sales-tax hike
Montgomery County superintendents consider sales-tax hike
Superintendents in Nokomis Community School District 22 are gearing up to push for a county-wide sales-tax hike.
By Brian Costin
5 reasons FOIA bill would crush government watchdogs in corrupt Illinois
5 reasons FOIA bill would crush government watchdogs in corrupt Illinois
HB 3796 would hamstring watchdogs in a state riddled with corruption. Lawmakers should let Quinn’s veto stand.
By Brian Costin