Pritzker renews push to end federal oversight of state hiring

11/06/2020

The federal court system has been watching Illinois for patronage hiring since 1972. There’s little evidence the problem is fixed.

TAGS: corruption, good government, JB Pritzker, Shakman decrees

Work one day, get paid for whole month could end for Illinois lawmakers

02/04/2020

Illinois lawmakers are currently paid for the entire month, even if they resign before the end of it. A new bill could change that.

TAGS: bribery, Christina Castro, corruption, good government, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, lawmaker pay, Luis Arroyo, Mike Murphy, Monica Bristow, Springfield

Bipartisan anti-corruption bill bottled up in Illinois Senate

By Austin Berg

11/27/2018

After unanimous approval from the Illinois House of Representatives, the Illinois Senate has remained conspicuously silent on a bill meant to address one man’s dominance of a little-known network of government authorities.

TAGS: Andrew Hamilton, Bruce Rauner, corruption, good government, Illinois Senate

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

Former Illinois lawmakers powered by energy interests

By Austin Berg

08/17/2017

No Americans trust their state government less than Illinoisans.

TAGS: corruption, Ed Burke, good government, lobbying, Mike Madigan

Mautino pleads the Fifth in campaign finance case

By Greg Bishop

04/20/2017

The gas the Mautino campaign claims to have purchased over 16 years would equate to more than 35,000 miles every year. The circumference of the earth is 24,901 miles.

TAGS: campaign finance, corruption, Frank Mautino, good government, transparency

2016 Corruption Watch: Chicago, East St. Louis take top corruption spots

12/29/2016

This year was full of corruption and mismanagement from public officials, but four instances in particular stand out.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, East St. Louis, good government

7 public officials arrested in Metro East area on corruption charges

12/07/2016

Corruption from several public officials in Metro East underscores the need for more government transparency in the area.

TAGS: corruption, good government, transparency

Local corruption hits Chicago, suburbs and downstate communities

12/04/2016

November was a sad reminder of the corruption at various levels of Illinois government from retired House Speaker Denny Hastert to the small Village of Bellwood.

TAGS: corruption, good government

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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