Lawsuit claims Chicago red-light cameras violate state law

By Chris Lentino

09/21/2018

A class-action lawsuit claims Chicago’s red-light camera program fails to provide ticketed motorists with information required by state law.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Rahm Emanuel, red light cameras

2 Chicago police officers accepted $13K in bribes in alleged ‘kickback’ scheme

By Vincent Caruso

09/10/2018

The officers are facing federal charges for their alleged role in a kickback scheme involving an attorney referral service seeking information on traffic crashes.

TAGS: bribery, Chicago, corruption, CPD: Chicago Police Department

Ford Heights ex-mayor charged with stealing $150K from village

By Austin Berg

08/23/2018

One of the state’s poorest communities is already facing enormous financial pressures.

TAGS: Charles Griffin, corruption, ford heights

Chicago Ald. Willie Cochran to plead guilty to corruption charges

By Vincent Caruso

08/15/2018

The South Side alderman had been charged with stealing charity donations to finance his daughter’s college tuition payments and casino getaways in Indiana, among other offences.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, corruption, Willie Cochran

Study: Red-light cameras fail to reduce traffic accidents

By Joe Barnas

08/13/2018

A recent analysis confirms what many Illinoisans already know: While red-light cameras serve as reliable sources of revenue, they do not improve public safety.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, red light cameras, Redflex Traffic Systems

If Frank Mautino didn’t break the rules, the rules are broken

By Austin Berg

07/12/2018

Mautino might not be corrupt. But his conduct mirrored that of a person engaging in corrupt behavior.

TAGS: campaign finance, corruption, Frank Mautino, Illinois Auditor General

Nepotistic hires highlight township government waste

By Joe Kaiser

06/18/2018

Two McHenry County highway commissioners hired each other’s sons to township government positions in 2017. Despite concerns of nepotism, these practices are not uncommon in township government.

TAGS: Algonquin Township, Andrew Rosencrans, Bob Miller, consolidation, corruption, David McSweeney, Jim Condon, Leda Drain, local government consolidation, McHenry County, Mike Lesperance, municipal pensions, nepotism, patronage, pensions

Harvey revenue agreement highlights need for pension reform – or municipal bankruptcy

By Joe Tabor

06/08/2018

Illinois’ pension laws are forcing the city of Harvey to pay its creditors through short-term negotiated agreements just to meet payroll.

TAGS: bankruptcy, corruption, harvey, municipal pensions, pensions

Lake Forest city attorney resigns following investigation into secret lobbying payments

By Vincent Caruso

04/06/2018

In an effort to lure backing for an Amtrak train stop, a February report showed nearly $200,000 traveled from Lake Forest to a Washington, D.C., lobbying firm. The city attorney, whose private law firm processed the transaction, has resigned from office.

TAGS: corruption

Former East St. Louis township officials diverted nearly $1M in youth program funds

By Vincent Caruso

03/30/2018

Two township administrators took state grant funds intended for a summer youth program to cover up for illegal credit card purchases.

TAGS: corruption, East St. Louis, St. Clair County, townships