Good Government

Illinois House passes bill to allow residents to dissolve townships

On March 29, the Illinois House of Representatives voted almost unanimously in favor of allowing voters to decide on local government consolidation – a crucial component of shrinking local government spending, which drives up property taxes. State Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, sponsored House Bill 496, which received bipartisan support – more than a dozen representatives...

By Brendan Bakala

Court strikes down ban on campaign contributions from medical marijuana licensees

“By singling out medical cannabis organizations,” Judge Lee wrote, the state of Illinois appeared to be favoring certain speakers based on their viewpoints – precisely the type of discrimination the Supreme Court has disapproved of in the past.

Illinois politicians dub March 8 ‘Cubs Day’ despite contentious history

Springfield lawmakers passed a ceremonial resolution March 8 congratulating the Chicago Cubs on winning the 2016 World Series. But that pat on the back doesn’t make up for the adversarial relationship politicians have held with the Cubs and other professional sports franchises in Chicago.

Useless committees provide political pay raises for state lawmakers

Buried in the House rules lawmakers passed in January are a dozen new committees, bringing the total number of standing committees in the House to 45. Committee chairs receive a $10,326 stipend annually.

By Austin Berg

Madigan’s millions: How the speaker sells his sway

The speaker’s law firm makes millions in the clout-heavy game of Cook County property tax appeals.

By Austin Berg

House passes legislative rules handing Madigan iron grip

No other state in the country grants as much power to its House speaker as Illinois does to Mike Madigan.

By Austin Berg

It’s time to reform Madigan’s rules

The Illinois House should change its legislative rules to diminish the control they give the House speaker over the legislative process, which far exceeds the power that other states grant their legislative leaders.

By Joe Tabor

New bill would even the playing field for third-party and independent candidates

Senate Bill 63 would make signature requirements to get on the ballot uniform for all candidates.

By Brendan Bakala

Calumet City aldermen and state representative Thaddeus Jones accused of exploiting campaign funds

The Illinois State Board of Elections is accusing state Rep. Thaddeus Jones, who is now running for mayor of Calumet City, of misusing thousands of dollars of campaign funds.

By Brendan Bakala

Illinois Senate passes term limits for legislative leaders

The Senate on Inauguration Day took action to limit the power of its legislative leaders. Meanwhile, House Democrats re-elected Mike Madigan as House speaker, ensuring he will become the longest-tenured legislative leader in modern American history.

By Austin Berg

Madigan makes history while Illinois’ middle class races toward extinction

At the end of his term in 2019, Madigan will be the longest-serving House speaker of any state in modern U.S. history.

By Austin Berg

Madigan set to become longest-serving House speaker in modern U.S. history

Chicago Democrat Mike Madigan will hold the speakership for a record 17th time.

By Austin Berg

Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process

The little-known legislative rules that govern the legislative process in the Illinois House of Representatives give the House speaker extraordinary power to orchestrate the legislative or political outcomes he or she wants. Those rules allow the speaker to influence the makeup of legislative committees; how lawmakers vote; and when, if ever, the bills get voted...

By Joe Tabor, Ted Dabrowski

New Illinois laws going into effect in 2017

2017 will usher in more transparency and opportunity in areas from criminal justice to government employee expenses to pensions.

By Brendan Bakala