2019 laws in review, Illinois lawmakers passed both nice and naughty bills

By Mindy Ruckman

12/20/2019

The Illinois General Assembly passed over 600 new laws in 2019. Some helped taxpayers, but many more hurt as they spent $85 billion while doing little to fix the pension crisis.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, capital plan, consolidation, Cook County, corruption, expungement, free speech, gas tax, government unions, Illinois, Illinois Constitution, Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker, lawmakers, Luis Arroyo, Martin Sandoval, Open Illinois Checkbook, progressive income tax, public employee unions, record sealing, Springfield, tax hikes, taxes, transparency, vehicle registration, worker freedom

Janus v. AFSCME ruling confirms that government unions are inherently political

By illinoispolicy

06/27/2018

Illinois Policy Institute research finds government unions often spend more on politics than representation, and political giving skews Democrat

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, collective bargaining, free speech, Janus v. AFSCME, unions

U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of Janus, restores First Amendment rights to government workers

By Mailee Smith

06/27/2018

In a landmark labor case, the court ruled that forced union fees are unconstitutional. The decision marks the first step toward worker freedom for 5.5 million government employees across the United States – including 370,000 in Illinois.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, free speech, Janus v. AFSCME, unions

Chicago State president allegedly attempted to silence professor with false sexual-harassment claims

By Jeffrey Schwab

03/27/2015

Chicago State University was among the 10 worst colleges for free speech in 2014. With the latest development in this case, it appears CSU is making a strong bid to hold that distinction in 2015 as well.

TAGS: CSU: Chicago State University, cyberbullying, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, free speech, Haki Madhubuti, LaShondra Peebles

2 Illinois universities among worst in the nation for free speech

By Jeffrey Schwab

03/06/2015

Universities are supposed to be safe havens for controversial ideas, but at least 10 Illinois universities have one or more policies that clearly and substantially restrict freedom of speech.

TAGS: CSU: Chicago State University, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, free speech, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Power in payments: Illinois can help unbanked residents, save money by adopting best practices in payment methods

Each year, tens of billions of dollars flow through Illinois state government.1 These flows all depend on methods of payment. In deciding on those payment methods, policymakers must consider a number of important factors, including security controls, cost effectiveness, accessibility, speed and allowance for choice. This report shows that by adopting best practices across all...

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Power in payments: Illinois can help unbanked residents, save money by adopting best practices in payment methods

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Ifeoma Nkemdi

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

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