Bill would ban Illinois lawmakers from acting as lobbyists
Bill would ban Illinois lawmakers from acting as lobbyists
When Illinois lawmakers work as lobbyists, it creates public distrust and serious conflicts of interest.
Records involving Madigan sought by federal probe into southwest Chicago suburb
Records involving Madigan sought by federal probe into southwest Chicago suburb
Federal investigators are seeking records from a small village near Chicago. The subpoena names Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, his political lieutenants and former ComEd lobbyists.
Illinois home to more public corruption convictions than any other state since 2000
Illinois home to more public corruption convictions than any other state since 2000
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s release from federal prison may be making room behind bars for other Illinois politicians. Illinois is the top state for corruption, and federal agents are busy looking for more.
Blagojevich returns to an Illinois as corrupt as he left it
Blagojevich returns to an Illinois as corrupt as he left it
Illinois’ political leadership learned nothing from the Blagojevich nightmare. And now it may be coming back to bite them.
Top Cook County official latest indicted in connection to red-light camera industry
Top Cook County official latest indicted in connection to red-light camera industry
A high-ranking Cook County political operative moonlighting as a sales agent for a red-light camera company is the latest politician accused of bribery in a sprawling federal corruption probe.
Illinoisans want cleaner state government more than great schools, less crime
Illinoisans want cleaner state government more than great schools, less crime
A common misconception in Illinois is that voters are numb to this reality. But polling released this week, commissioned by the Illinois Education Association, shows that’s not true.
Illinois lawmakers operate under honor system on conflicts of interest
Illinois lawmakers operate under honor system on conflicts of interest
Prairie State politicians are allowed to determine when they have a conflict of interest, and whether they should recuse themselves from voting or disclose a conflict. HB 4041 would change that.
Bipartisan bill would block ‘revolving door’ from lawmaker to lobbyist
Bipartisan bill would block ‘revolving door’ from lawmaker to lobbyist
Illinois is one of the few states that lets lawmakers or state agency chiefs become a lobbyist the day after leaving office. A new ethics bill would stop that.
Illinois watchdog’s report of ‘serious misconduct’ was ‘squashed’ by panel of lawmakers
Illinois watchdog’s report of ‘serious misconduct’ was ‘squashed’ by panel of lawmakers
Illinois’ legislative inspector general investigates complaints against state lawmakers, but a commission of their peers can – and did – bury those findings, the former inspector said. A new bill would change that.
Bill to remove nearly 100 red-light cameras advances to House floor
Bill to remove nearly 100 red-light cameras advances to House floor
The proposal to limit red-light cameras in Illinois is making progress as another bill’s sponsor believes she can garner the votes to ban them entirely.
Former state Rep. Arroyo pleads not guilty to bribery charge
Former state Rep. Arroyo pleads not guilty to bribery charge
Arroyo resigned from his seat in the Illinois General Assembly after his arrest in October on bribery charges. He now faces up to 10 years in prison for bribery.
Illinois police serve search warrant at Madigan’s Springfield office, looking for evidence of sexual assault, battery by former state lawmaker
Illinois police serve search warrant at Madigan’s Springfield office, looking for evidence of sexual assault, battery by former state lawmaker
State police executed the search warrant in an attempt to find evidence of criminal behavior by former Democratic state Rep. Jack Franks.
‘Fair tax’ backer pleads guilty to tax fraud
‘Fair tax’ backer pleads guilty to tax fraud
Former state Sen. Martin Sandoval once headed the powerful Senate Transportation Committee. He now faces up to 13 years in prison on corruption charges involving a controversial red-light camera company.
Feds indict champion of Illinois gas tax hike, ‘fair tax’ on tax fraud and bribery
Feds indict champion of Illinois gas tax hike, ‘fair tax’ on tax fraud and bribery
The former chair of the influential Senate Transportation Committee is the fourth Illinois politician indicted on federal charges amid a sweeping FBI probe.