Illinois’ COVID disaster ends after 1,155 days

By Dylan Sharkey

05/09/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s 42nd and final disaster proclamation has expired after 1,155 days in a state of emergency. Illinois was 1 of only 6 states still under emergency orders because of the pandemic.

TAGS: Commonwealth Edison, corruption

3 bills would punish corrupt politicians in Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

03/02/2023

A package of anti-corruption bills were introduced in the Illinois Senate: one prohibits lawmakers from using campaign money to pay for legal defense, another fines felonious politicians $100,000 and one takes away their specialty license plates.

TAGS: corruption

Feds targeted these Illinois politicians for corruption in 2022

By Dylan Sharkey

12/26/2022

Illinois saw more than its fair share of corruption and misconduct again in 2022, but some politicians stood out in a crowded field.

TAGS: corruption, Illinois

Indicted Chicago alderman too ill to stand trial, OK to cast council votes

By Patrick Andriesen

11/15/2022

Chicago’s second-longest serving alderman is seeking a stay of prosecution on federal bribery charges, arguing she is “not medically fit to stand trial.” The plea comes eight days after Ald. Carrie Austin voted on the council floor to approve the city budget.

TAGS: Chicago City Council, corruption

Patronage oversight ends for Cook County assessor’s office

11/03/2022

On Nov. 1 a federal judge decided to end decades-long patronage hiring oversight of the Cook County assessor’s office. Cronyism and patronage remain in Illinois, despite some government offices escaping federal court oversight.

TAGS: Cook County assessor, corruption, Shakman decrees

Pritzker blind trust companies hold $20 billion in state contracts

By Dylan Sharkey

09/01/2022

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s blind trust of investments includes 12 different companies with $20 billion in state contracts since he took office.

TAGS: corruption, JB Pritzker

How to get more than your fair share from an Illinois pension

By Justin Carlson

08/05/2022

Illinois offers generous pensions to public workers, but some workers engage in legal schemes that give them more than their fair share. Here are some common Illinois pension games that taxpayers are forced to fund.

TAGS: corruption, pension reform, pensions

Disgraced Illinois lawmaker collected $130K pension while awaiting prison sentence

By Patrick Andriesen

06/02/2022

The former Illinois House assistant majority leader received a taxpayer-funded pension worth $129,000 between his retirement in 2019 after being arrested for bribery by federal authorities and his conviction in 2022.

TAGS: corruption, Luis Arroyo, pensions

Former state Rep. Luis Arroyo gets 57 months for bribery scheme

By Patrick Andriesen

05/26/2022

The former Illinois House assistant majority leader now faces nearly 5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to accepting and soliciting bribes to expand sweepstakes gambling legislation in Springfield.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, gambling, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly

Chicago-area mayor guilty in red light camera bribery scheme

By Dylan Sharkey

05/23/2022

Oakbrook Terrace’s former mayor pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges related to red light cameras and faces up to five years in prison. The state recently shut off the cameras.

TAGS: corruption, Oakbrook Terrace, red light cameras