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

Employee claims jobs sold for up to $10K in Cook County Circuit Court Clerk’s office

By Vincent Caruso

03/02/2018

FBI investigations into Dorothy Brown's office have been underway for nearly five years, during which the clerk has disputed accusations of misconduct. But according to one employee interviewed by federal prosecutors, at least one of Brown's hires may have come with a $10,000 price tag.

TAGS: Cook County, corruption, patronage

East St. Louis Township hires politician to shovel inch of snow

By Joe Kaiser

02/02/2018

East St. Louis Township paid $550 to a politician, who had previously spent four years in federal prison for tax evasion, to clear an inch of snow from the township's parking lot - a task he didn't even complete.

TAGS: consolidation, corruption, East St. Louis, local government consolidation, townships

Possible mismanagement costs Saline County taxpayers more than $1M

By Brendan Bakala

01/31/2018

A forensic audit reveals Saline County lost $1 million in funds through possible mismanagement.

TAGS: corruption

3 McHenry County townships now under investigation

By Joe Kaiser

01/25/2018

The McHenry County state's attorney's office is investigating Nunda and Grafton townships for illegal misuse of taxpayer money, making them the second and third townships - after Algonquin Township - to be under investigation in McHenry County.

TAGS: corruption, townships

Former Markham mayor pleads guilty for part in $300,000 bribery scheme

By Brendan Bakala

01/21/2018

The agreement stated former Markham Mayor David Webb steered city projects to those who bribed him.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, property taxes

New proposal would free General Assembly watchdog to pursue investigations without lawmaker approval

By Vincent Caruso

12/15/2017

A bureaucratic barrier that stifles investigations into lawmakers’ ethical violations would be nixed under a newly proposed law.

TAGS: Christina Castro, corruption, good government, Legislative Ethics Commission, Legislative Inspector General

Corruption watchdog: Markham mayor approved his own pay raise

By Brendan Bakala

12/13/2017

A new report alleges Markham Mayor Pro Tem Ernest Blevins illegally hiked his own salary.

TAGS: corruption, good government

Report: Madigan and his local alderman violated ethics laws

By Vincent Caruso

11/16/2017

A new report shows how 13th Ward Chicago Alderman Marty Quinn and Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan diverted tens of thousands of dollars in public funds toward political purposes.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Marty Quinn, Mike Madigan