Red-light camera vendor at heart of corruption probes gets PPP loan

By Ben Szalinski

07/08/2020

SafeSpeed has been involved in a federal investigation that has resulted in corruption charges against multiple Illinois politicians.

TAGS: corruption, COVID-19, PPP: Paycheck Protection Program, red light cameras, SafeSpeed

Who in Illinois received PPP loans?

By Brad Weisenstein

07/08/2020

27,412 loans for at least $150K were made in Illinois through the Payroll Protection Program. See who got what.

TAGS: coronavirus, corruption, COVID-19, jobs, PPP: Paycheck Protection Program

Investigation shows Madigan had heavy hand in filling state jobs for Pritzker

By Austin Berg

06/19/2020

Illinois public servants expect special privileges. And Gov. J.B. Pritzker is happy to oblige.

TAGS: corruption, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan

Patronage hires lead to federal oversight of Cook County Clerk’s office

By Ben Szalinski

04/22/2020

An illegal patronage operation brought on federal oversight when Karen Yarbrough was Cook County’s recorder of deeds. It’s happened again to her as county clerk.

TAGS: Cook County Clerk, corruption, ethics violation, Mike Madigan, patronage

Illinois lawmakers miss deadline for corruption reforms

By Ben Szalinski

04/02/2020

State lawmakers putting together ethics reforms have not met since the first week of March, when the coronavirus ended gatherings.

TAGS: conflict of interest, corruption, ethics task force, lobbying, revolving door

Chinatown developer who recorded Madigan, Solis charged with fraud

By Ben Szalinski

03/18/2020

The developer’s recordings helped federal investigators charge Chicago Ald. Ed Burke and deepened the investigation into Illinois state corruption.

TAGS: corruption, Danny Solis, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal investigation, fraud, Mike Madigan

Illinois House committee passes bill to ban red-light cameras statewide

By Ben Szalinski

03/12/2020

Red-light cameras have been the subject of multiple corruption investigations and have cost Illinois drivers over $1 billion.

TAGS: conflict of interest, corruption, David McSweeney, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, IDOT: Illinois Department of Transportation, IRS: Internal Revenue Service, Jeff Tobolski, Martin Sandoval, Oakbrook Terrace, red light cameras, SafeSpeed

Bribery charge, resignations hit prominent players in red-light camera scandal

By Ben Szalinski

03/09/2020

A Cook County commissioner quits as a former city administrator faces a bribery charge. Both played roles in the rise of red-light cameras and vendor SafeSpeed.

TAGS: Chicago Department of Aviation, conflict of interest, Cook County, corruption, IDOT: Illinois Department of Transportation, Jeff Tobolski, Lyons, Martin Sandoval, McCook, Oak Brook, Patrick Doherty, red light cameras, SafeSpeed, Toni Preckwinkle

Property taxes turning American dreams into Illinois nightmares

By Austin Berg

03/05/2020

Visions of the community’s future no longer bring comfort. Instead, they inspire crippling fear.

TAGS: corruption, home values, homeownership, local government consolidation, Matteson, pensions, property taxes, school district consolidation

Illinois House passes bill to tear down nearly 100 red-light cameras

By Ben Szalinski

02/26/2020

A proposal to limit red-light cameras in Illinois is making significant progress.

TAGS: corruption, David McSweeney, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jonathan Carroll, Martin Sandoval, Mattie Hunter, red light cameras, SafeSpeed