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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Blagojevich comes home to America’s most corrupt city

02/26/2020

Chicago and the state of Illinois are notorious around the country for high-profile corruption convictions. Rod Blagojevich settles back in after the former governor’s imprisonment for corruption.

TAGS: Chicago, conflict of interest, conviction, Cook County, cooling off period, corruption, ethics, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jeff Tobolski, lobbying, Martin Sandoval, Patrick Doherty, prison, red light cameras, revolving door, Rod Blagojevich, SafeSpeed, watchdog

Greater independence for Illinois’ Legislative Inspector General draws bipartisan support

02/24/2020

Illinois’ Legislative Inspector General currently is subjected to political influence or even silencing by members of the General Assembly.

TAGS: corruption, ethics, Jeff Keicher, Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform, Jonathan Carroll, Legislative Ethics Commission, Legislative Inspector General, sexual harrassment, transparency, watchdog

Bill would ban Illinois lawmakers from acting as lobbyists

02/24/2020

When Illinois lawmakers work as lobbyists, it creates public distrust and serious conflicts of interest.

TAGS: bribery, Carol Ammons, conflicts of interest, cooling off period, corruption, ethics, IDOT: Illinois Department of Transportation, lobbying, Martin Sandoval, red light cameras, revolving door, Scott Bennett

corruption

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

Illinois lawmakers miss deadline for corruption reforms

Chinatown developer who recorded Madigan, Solis charged with fraud

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

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

Property taxes turning American dreams into Illinois nightmares

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

Blagojevich comes home to America’s most corrupt city

Greater independence for Illinois’ Legislative Inspector General draws bipartisan support

Bill would ban Illinois lawmakers from acting as lobbyists

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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