79,000 more Illinoisans are in poverty because state can’t fix its culture of corruption

By Orphe Divounguy

05/12/2021

If Illinois could have reduced corruption to the national average, an estimated 79,000 fewer people would be living in poverty, according to an analysis by the Illinois Policy Institute. State lawmakers can help by passing ethics reforms.

TAGS: corruption, economy, ethics reform, Illinois, income inequality, poverty

Former Chicago Ald. Richard Munoz indicted on fraud charges

By Ann Miller

04/30/2021

Former Chicago Ald. Ricardo Munoz, appointed by Richard M. Daley, faces federal charges stating he used campaign funds to pay for personal expenses and committed money laundering. Over 30 Chicago aldermen have been convicted or charged with corruption.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, federal investigation, Richard Munoz

Chicago alderman related to Daleys indicted for tax fraud

By Brad Weisenstein

04/29/2021

Chicago Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson, related to both Mayor Daleys, faces federal charges stating he filed false tax returns and lied about $219,000 in payments from a neighborhood bank. Over 30 Chicago aldermen have been convicted or charged with corruption.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, federal investigation, Patrick Daley Thompson, tax fraud

Former state lawmaker used bribes to promote red-light cameras in Chicago suburb, feds charge

By Patrick Andriesen

04/27/2021

New federal corruption charges state a former Illinois House member conspired to use bribes to get a red-light traffic camera contract renewed and more of them installed in a suburban Chicago community. Traffic cameras collected $5.5 million during a decade in the suburb.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, red light cameras

Illinois lawmakers tackle balloons, pitchfork fishing, but keep residents in dark on ethics reforms

By Brad Weisenstein

04/27/2021

The Illinois General Assembly busies itself with limiting balloon releases and regulating pitchfork fishing along highways when ethics reform is the need in a state with a rich history of corruption.

TAGS: corruption, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, regulations, transparency

Feds call Chicago Ald. Ed Burke ‘thoroughly corrupt’

By Patrick Andriesen

04/22/2021

Chicago’s longest-serving alderman, Ed Burke, tried to extort redevelopers of the old West Loop post office and others. They said there was no need to entrap Burke because his hand was regularly out.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Ed Burke, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal investigation

Bill fights Illinois corruption with online access to government spending, records

By Justin Carlson

04/19/2021

Putting the public’s business on public display can help Illinois reform its culture of corruption and control government waste. An Illinois House bill will put more local government records online.

TAGS: corruption, government spending, Illinois, local government, transparency

Ald. Burke, Sen. Sandoval political crony guilty of lying about bribes

By Brad Weisenstein

04/13/2021

A longtime political operative for Chicago Ald. Ed Burke and the late state Sen. Martin Sandoval pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about bribes.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, Ed Burke, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Martin Sandoval

Former state senator, ComEd lobbyist faces tax fraud indictment

By Patrick Andriesen

04/02/2021

A former Illinois state senator was charged with federal income tax crimes. Her Senate financial disclosure statement shows why they are known as ‘none’ sheets. Reforms are needed.

TAGS: Annazette Collins, bribery, ComEd, corruption, Mike Madigan, tax fraud

Political operative for Ald. Burke, Sen. Sandoval charged with lying to FBI

By Patrick Andriesen

04/01/2021

A longtime political operative for Chicago Ald. Ed Burke and the late state Sen. Martin Sandoval was charged with lying to the FBI about bribes.

TAGS: corruption, Ed Burke, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal investigation, Martin Sandoval