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Judge rules in Madigan’s favor on ‘sham candidate’ lawsuit

By Austin Berg
08/26/2019
Lawyers for Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan argued that even if he did recruit so-called “sham candidates” to siphon votes away from his 2016 primary opponent, such tactics aren’t against the law.

TAGS: election, Jason Gonzales, Kevin Quinn, Mike Madigan, Shaw Decremer

Madigan lawyers: ‘Dirty tricks’ alleged in election lawsuit are not a crime

By Austin Berg
07/12/2019
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan faces allegations of recruiting two “sham candidates” to dilute the Hispanic vote in his 2016 Democratic primary race.

TAGS: Grasiela Rodriguez, Jason Gonzales, JB Pritzker, Joe Barboza, Mike Madigan

Judge orders arrest of 2 former Madigan operatives

By Austin Berg
03/26/2019
Two former political workers for longtime Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan failed to attend depositions in a lawsuit alleging Madigan backed “sham candidates” in his 2016 primary election.

TAGS: Charlie Hernandez, Jason Gonzales, Kevin Quinn, Mike Madigan, Shaw Decremer

Madigan aides sought out, assisted alleged ‘sham’ candidates in primary election

By Austin Berg
02/01/2019
Madigan’s 2016 primary opponent filed a lawsuit alleging the House speaker recruited “sham” candidates in order to dilute opposition.

TAGS: Jason Gonzales, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan

Judge allows lawsuit against Madigan to proceed

By Austin Berg
09/15/2017
A federal judge has cleared the way for a lawsuit filed by a 2016 primary opponent of House Speaker Mike Madigan, which alleges discrimination by the speaker for filing “sham candidates.”

TAGS: corruption, Jason Gonzales, Mike Madigan

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Center for Poverty Solutions / Research Report

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...

View Report

Report Archive

Budget + Tax / Your Story

Allan Luzbetak

Labor / Policy Point

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

By Paul Kersey
06/19/2014
Illinois Policy In the News

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

By Ted Dabrowski
05/02/2016

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