Chicago ex-alderman charged with bribery might keep pension

By Justin Carlson

04/22/2022

Ex-Alderman Danny Solis handed federal prosecutors the top politicians in Chicago and the Statehouse to get out of bribery charges. His deal could let him keep his pension – a ploy too common in Illinois as voters consider Amendment 1’s potential for protecting pension abuse.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Danny Solis, pensions

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

Look past the faces of Illinois corruption to see the larger problem

By Amy Korte

12/02/2019

Focus too much on single aspects of Illinois corruption and the big picture will be lost, along with chances to fix the problems.

TAGS: Chicago, ComEd, corruption, Danny Solis, Ed Burke, ethics, ethics task force, federal investigation, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, lawmakers, leadership, Legislative Inspector General, lobbying, Luis Arroyo, Martin Sandoval, revolving door, Rod Blagojevich, watchdog

Disgraced former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis still receiving $95,000 public pension

09/18/2019

The FBI detailed sex, drugs and corruption involving former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis, but he is still receiving a nearly $95,000 public pension after cooperating with their probe.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, Danny Solis, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions

Another Chicago alderman pleads guilty to corruption charges

03/26/2019

South Side Ald. Willie Cochran pleaded guilty March 21 to felony wire fraud for spending his ward’s charity funds on personal expenses. That’s 30 Chicago aldermen convicted of corruption since 1972.

TAGS: aldermanic privilege, Chicago, Chicago City Council, corruption, Danny Solis, Ed Burke, Willie Cochran

Report: Chicago area most corrupt in nation

By Vincent Caruso

02/13/2019

Chicagoland and northern Illinois have seen more corrupt public officials put behind bars than any other part of the nation, an analysis found.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Danny Solis, Ed Burke

Feds drilling to the core of Illinois power, politics

By Austin Berg

01/31/2019

What’s important for Illinoisans to know now is not just whether politically powerful people such as Burke and Madigan broke the law, but how the law itself encourages indecent behavior.

TAGS: Chicago, Danny Solis, Ed Burke, Mike Madigan

FBI secretly recorded Madigan at his law office

By Austin Berg

01/29/2019

Madigan has long been criticized for his control of a lucrative law firm specializing in Cook County property tax appeals.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Danny Solis, Ed Burke, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, House Speaker, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension costs, including pension bond...

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Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

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Cathy Stuehmeier

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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