The cost of crossing Madigan

By Eric Kohn

10/21/2016

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s election to the speaker position in 16 of the last 17 legislative sessions is a testament to the loyalty he demands from his Democratic colleagues.

TAGS: Helen Satterthwaite, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Mike Madigan, Richard Mautino

The Illinoisans who vote for Madigan

By Austin Berg

10/07/2016

Just as Illinoisans elect state representatives, state representatives elect the speaker of the House every two years. To become the speaker, Madigan just needs a majority vote.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Mike Madigan

Illinois General Assembly passes law allowing creation of ‘super TIFs’

By Chris Lentino

07/20/2016

A law passed by the Illinois General Assembly in June allows Chicago to create new transit-based super TIFs, adding more opportunities for city-run slush funds to divert and hoard property-tax dollars.

TAGS: Chicago, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Rahm Emanuel, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Illinoisans suffer, politicians get paid

By Austin Berg

07/17/2016

Illinois lawmakers earn base salaries of nearly $68,000 for what is essentially part-time work.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, John Cullerton, Kim Lightford, lawmaker pay, Mike Madigan, Pat Quinn

Why won’t Illinois lawmakers reform their own pensions?

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

07/27/2015

The General Assembly Retirement System is one of the country’s worst-run retirement funds.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly

Judges split on state-worker pay in absence of balanced budget

By Jeffrey Schwab

07/19/2015

UPDATED JULY 19: It’s almost inevitable that the state will violate either the Fair Labor Standards Act or the Illinois Constitution

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, budget, David McSweeney, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Supreme Court, John Cullerton, Lisa Madigan, Mike Madigan

Budget battle highlights rigged rules in Illinois’ legislative process

By Darlene Senger

06/12/2015

Illinoisans need structure and fairness in their state government. But in Springfield, the rules are often written by the controlling party to its own advantage.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly

Madigan, Cullerton and the absurdity of Springfield’s budget blame game

By David Giuliani

06/03/2015

Responsibility for Illinois’ sorry state of affairs falls at the feet of House Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and their combined 80 years in state government.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan

Illinois Policy Action bills poised for passage

By Heather Weiner

05/09/2015

From criminal justice to crowdfunding, Illinois Policy Action is pushing four bills with a great shot of making it to the governor’s desk.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, crowdfunding, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, right to try

Pensions are contracts; nothing more, nothing less

By Benjamin VanMetre

01/22/2015

Illinois Policy Institute files amicus brief in SB 1 case

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Constitution, Illinois Supreme Court, pensions, Senate Bill 1

ILGA: Illinois General Assembly

The cost of crossing Madigan

The Illinoisans who vote for Madigan

Illinois General Assembly passes law allowing creation of ‘super TIFs’

Illinoisans suffer, politicians get paid

Why won’t Illinois lawmakers reform their own pensions?

Judges split on state-worker pay in absence of balanced budget

Budget battle highlights rigged rules in Illinois’ legislative process

Madigan, Cullerton and the absurdity of Springfield’s budget blame game

Illinois Policy Action bills poised for passage

Pensions are contracts; nothing more, nothing less

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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