State lawmakers passed into law a bill that exempts a single Chicago performance hall from a provision in Illinois state liquor law, overriding Gov. Bruce Rauner's veto. This practice of granting piecemeal exemptions is commonplace but cumbersome.

TAGS: John Cullerton, Liquor Control Act, liquor laws

Alcohol bill aimed to help special interests, further status quo

By Joe Kaiser

04/10/2017

An amendment to Illinois’ longstanding Liquor Control Act creates curious guidelines that seem likely to favor a few specific Chicago businesses, while keeping the status quo intact for the rest.

TAGS: Beer Industry Fair Dealing Act, Frank Mautino, James Clayborne, Juliana Stratton, Liquor Control Act, liquor laws, Wine & Spirits Distributors of Illinois, Wine and Spirits Fair Dealing Act

SB 1288 could chip away at Illinois’ crony liquor laws

By Joe Kaiser

03/29/2017

A bill in the Illinois Senate would provide certain alcohol producers some freedom within the state’s three-tier system – which has been maintained through measures limiting competition and benefiting the politically connected.

TAGS: Dan McConchie, Liquor Control Act, liquor laws, regulations, three-tier system

Pensions make Illinois property taxes among nation’s most painful

Report Archive

Michael Serrano

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

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