Culture of harassment, bullying in Madigan’s office detailed in probe

By Austin Berg

08/22/2019

Government employees under Madigan’s watch were made to feel accountable to lobbyists, political campaign staff and other outside interests. Not the public.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan, Springfield

Illinois one of 11 states that lets departing lawmakers immediately become lobbyists

08/13/2019

“Revolving door” laws are intended to stop state lawmakers from getting private jobs after granting political favors. Illinois is one of the few states that does little to curb the practice.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, Lisa Madigan, lobbying, Lori Lightfoot, revolving door

New law empowers McHenry County voters to consolidate townships

08/12/2019

A new law relaxes requirements for McHenry County voters looking to dissolve their townships by referendum, clearing a path toward greater efficiency, less waste and lower property taxes.

TAGS: consolidation, David McSweeney, JB Pritzker, local government consolidation, McHenry County

New Illinois law ends $120 fee to clear false criminal records in Cook County

By Vincent Caruso

08/09/2019

A bill signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker will renew a pilot program in Cook County that waives fees for the expungement or sealing of criminal records for those who have been wrongfully accused of a crime.

TAGS: Arthur Turner, criminal justice reform, expungement, Jacqueline Collins, JB Pritzker

Pritzker promises over $10B in new spending on $3.7B progressive tax hike

By Adam Schuster

08/07/2019

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” plan falls far short of the revenue needed to pay for his spending promises – feeding fears of future tax hikes on middle-class families.

TAGS: budget, graduated income tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, spending, taxes

Will County weighs new 4- to 8-cent countywide gas tax atop doubled Illinois tax

By Vincent Caruso

08/03/2019

County leaders may exercise new taxing authority from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s capital plan. Illinois already doubled its portion of the gas tax, pushing the total burden to No. 3 in nation.

TAGS: gas tax, JB Pritzker, taxes, Will County

Illinois’ film tax credit program is theatrically bad

By Austin Berg

08/02/2019

Illinois’ film tax credit program is a slap in the face to the state’s small business community outside the spotlight, does little to grow good jobs and is rife with corruption.

TAGS: Cinespace, film subsidies, JB Pritzker, small business, tax credits, taxes

Gas tax hike moves Illinois’ pain at the pump to No. 3 in U.S.

By Adam Schuster

07/26/2019

Data from the American Petroleum Institute confirms doubling Illinois’ motor fuel tax will bring total taxes paid at the pump to third highest in the nation, up from 10th highest a year earlier.

TAGS: budget, capital project, gas tax, JB Pritzker, taxes

Progressive tax uncertainty could trip Illinois’ already-stumbling economy

By Orphe Divounguy, Chena Underhill

07/25/2019

The elections scheduled for November 2020 are already injecting uncertainty into the economy, and the progressive income tax ballot question will make matters worse.

TAGS: economy, fair tax, graduated income tax, income growth, income tax, JB Pritzker, progressive income tax, taxes

As corruption looms large in Illinois, Pritzker reforms are MIA

By Austin Berg

07/25/2019

Tackling Illinois corruption isn’t just a moral imperative. It’s a financial necessity.

TAGS: corruption, fair maps, house rules, JB Pritzker, Legislative Inspector General, lobbying, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan, redistricting, revolving door

JB Pritzker

Culture of harassment, bullying in Madigan’s office detailed in probe

Illinois one of 11 states that lets departing lawmakers immediately become lobbyists

New law empowers McHenry County voters to consolidate townships

New Illinois law ends $120 fee to clear false criminal records in Cook County

Pritzker promises over $10B in new spending on $3.7B progressive tax hike

Will County weighs new 4- to 8-cent countywide gas tax atop doubled Illinois tax

Illinois’ film tax credit program is theatrically bad

Gas tax hike moves Illinois’ pain at the pump to No. 3 in U.S.

Progressive tax uncertainty could trip Illinois’ already-stumbling economy

As corruption looms large in Illinois, Pritzker reforms are MIA

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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