90% of Illinois communities lost population in 2020
90% of Illinois communities lost population in 2020
Census estimates predict nearly all Illinois municipalities shed population last year, with a greater share of large communities being affected.
Budget, ethics bills again kept secret before last-minute votes, Madigan style
Budget, ethics bills again kept secret before last-minute votes, Madigan style
Illinois politicians used Madigan’s teachings – avoid messy democracy and disenfranchise taxpayers – by again waiting until the last minute to pass major legislation. Good things rarely grow in the dark.
Illinois corruption package is light on needed reforms
Illinois corruption package is light on needed reforms
Senate Bill 4, the likely vehicle for ethics reform in Springfield, offers slight improvements over the Madigan era. But if Illinois is serious about ending its culture of corruption, key points need more muscle.
Bill giving state new powers to shut down private and public schools advances in General Assembly
Bill giving state new powers to shut down private and public schools advances in General Assembly
HB 2789 could threaten in-person instruction at public and private schools while the COVID-19 emergency order – or any other emergency order – persists.
Hayli’s Law would protect lemonade stands from government in Illinois
Hayli’s Law would protect lemonade stands from government in Illinois
When a child’s lemonade stand was targeted by government regulators, the 11-year-old entrepreneur fought back. Now Illinois is about to bar government from interfering with a child’s right to sell cold summer drinks.
Madigan’s former chief indicted for lying about boss, bribery suspect
Madigan’s former chief indicted for lying about boss, bribery suspect
A federal probe again hit close to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. The indictment of his former chief of staff is the latest indication questions are still being asked about Madigan, bribery and corruption.
Lightfoot pushes permanent 10 p.m. curfew on liquor store sales in Chicago
Lightfoot pushes permanent 10 p.m. curfew on liquor store sales in Chicago
Grocery and liquor stores would be barred from selling beer, wine and liquor after 10 p.m. if Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot gets her way. She said the move would curb crime by stopping gatherings outside liquor stores and help recovering bars and restaurants.
Government union bosses may get permanent special treatment in Illinois
Government union bosses may get permanent special treatment in Illinois
A proposed Illinois constitutional amendment, SJRCA 11, would give government unions unchecked, unlimited power.
Meet the new mapmaker
Meet the new mapmaker
Pritzker pushes ‘Time to Drive’ tourism campaign despite high gas prices
Pritzker pushes ‘Time to Drive’ tourism campaign despite high gas prices
When Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state lawmakers doubled the gas tax in 2019, they built in automatic annual increases. The next boost hits July 1. Perfect timing, as Pritzker spends $6 million to ask Illinoisans to take a drive.
Year after George Floyd’s death, police contracts stop Illinois reform
Year after George Floyd’s death, police contracts stop Illinois reform
It has been a year since George Floyd died beneath a Minneapolis police officer’s knee, setting off riots in Chicago and protests across Illinois. Lawmakers vowed reforms, but nothing will change as long as police contracts overpower state law.
Illinois takes aim at private schools with new bill
Illinois takes aim at private schools with new bill
An amendment to Illinois House Bill 2789 could result in a flurry of complaints against private and public schools for alleged violations of COVID-19 protocols, provides harsh penalties, including punishing teachers, and expands state authority over private schools.
Illinois lawmakers seek to be nation’s first to put job-killing amendment in state constitution
Illinois lawmakers seek to be nation’s first to put job-killing amendment in state constitution
A proposal in the Illinois General Assembly would prohibit right-to-work laws in Illinois, making Illinois the only state to ban worker freedoms in its constitution.
Democrats’ legislative maps slam GOP after Pritzker breaks veto promise
Democrats’ legislative maps slam GOP after Pritzker breaks veto promise
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker gave fellow Democrats a very clear signal to gerrymander state legislative maps when he backed off his veto threat and said he trusted them to be fair. Mike Madigan-style maps place 23 Republicans into races against other incumbents.