FBI wiretapped cellphone of close Madigan confidant

By Austin Berg

11/13/2019

The FBI wiretap of Mike McClain's phone is an indication authorities could be looking into criminal activity between House Speaker Mike Madigan and utility giant ComEd.

TAGS: ComEd, corruption, Martin Sandoval, Michael McClain, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

Recent FBI raids on Illinois politician a reminder of $9.9B ‘corruption tax’

By Bryce Hill

11/12/2019

As more Illinois politicians face federal corruption indictments, Illinoisans are reminded that lawmakers’ misdeeds come with a steep price tag.

TAGS: corruption, FBI, taxes

Illinois state senator on ethics committee allegedly filed false income tax return

By Ben Szalinski

11/07/2019

Sources have identified state Sen. Terry Link as the FBI’s witness in their investigation into former state Rep. Luis Arroyo. Tax troubles may have led to Link’s cooperation.

TAGS: corruption, FBI, income tax, Luis Arroyo, taxes, Terry Link

Illinois state representative resigns following bribery charge

By Austin Berg

11/01/2019

State Rep. Luis Arroyo was a key supporter of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s $45 billion infrastructure package, which was funded in part by a gambling expansion and doubling the state’s gas tax.

TAGS: corruption, FBI, Luis Arroyo, Martin Sandoval, Mike Madigan

Illinois Assistant Majority Leader arrested on federal bribery charge

By Austin Berg

10/28/2019

State Rep. Luis Arroyo was a key supporter of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s $45 billion infrastructure package, which was funded in part by a gambling expansion and doubling the state’s gas tax.

TAGS: corruption, JB Pritzker, Luis Arroyo, Mike Madigan

Chicago suburbs raided by FBI have ties to Madigan’s son

By Austin Berg

10/27/2019

Four municipalities targeted in a sweeping corruption probe have all contracted with Alliant/Mesirow, where House Speaker Mike Madigan’s son works to secure insurance deals with local governments.

TAGS: corruption, FBI, JB Pritzker, Jeff Tobolski, Lyons, Martin Sandoval, McCook, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, red light cameras, SafeSpeed, Schiller Park, Summit

Former Lake Forest city manager indicted following Amtrak lobbying scandal

By Vincent Caruso

10/27/2019

A grand jury indicted Lake Forest’s longtime city manager for making $200,000 in unauthorized payments to a lobbying firm in an effort to attract funding for an unpopular proposed Amtrak stop.

TAGS: corruption, Lake Forest, lobbying

Madigan and ComEd are at the center of federal heat

By Austin Berg

10/24/2019

Illinoisans shouldn’t have to wait for federal raids to curb corruption at the capitol.

TAGS: City Club of Chicago, ComEd, corruption, FBI, Mike Madigan

Federal agents looking for Madigan documents in ComEd probe

By Austin Berg

10/24/2019

As previously undisclosed subpoena adds another angle to federal agents’ activity surrounding the longtime House speaker and chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

TAGS: City Club of Chicago, ComEd, corruption, FBI, Jay Doherty, JB Pritzker, Kevin Quinn, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

Red-light camera backlash gains bipartisan momentum in Springfield

By Vincent Caruso

10/15/2019

Driver headaches and corruption flow from red-light cameras. Two bills with bipartisan support would ban the traffic devices in Illinois.

TAGS: corruption, David McSweeney, Grant Wehrli, Jonathan Carroll, Margo McDermed, Mark Batinick, Martin Sandoval, red light cameras, rita mayfield, SafeSpeed, Sam Yingling

2019 Illinois corruption tracker

Illinois is the second-most corrupt state in the nation, according to the University of Illinois-Chicago. And corruption costs the state economy at least $550 million per year. But the size and scope of government corruption is nothing new for Illinoisans. What is new? Powerful Illinois lawmakers, Chicago aldermen, local mayors and business interests are involved...

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2019 Illinois corruption tracker

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Al Lashbrook

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students