Sexual harassment case against Madigan campaign ends with $275K settlement

By Brad Weisenstein

12/09/2019

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan settled a sexual harassment case involving his former political lieutenant, but the related corruption implications are far from over.

TAGS: #metoo, AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Alaina Hampton, ComEd, complaint, Democratic Party, FBI, federal investigation, federal lawsuit, house rules, Illinois, Illinois General Assembly, Illinois House of Representatives, Kevin Quinn, Legislative Inspector General, lobbying, lobbyists, Mike Madigan, raids, settlement, sexual harrassment, Springfield, Tim Mapes

Look past the faces of Illinois corruption to see the larger problem

By Amy Korte

12/02/2019

Focus too much on single aspects of Illinois corruption and the big picture will be lost, along with chances to fix the problems.

TAGS: Chicago, ComEd, corruption, Danny Solis, Ed Burke, ethics, ethics task force, federal investigation, Illinois, Illinois General Assembly, lawmakers, leadership, Legislative Inspector General, lobbying, lobbyists, Luis Arroyo, Martin Sandoval, politicians, recusal, revolving door, Rod Blagojevich, watchdog

Illinois bill would slow transition from lawmaker to lobbyist

By Joe Tabor

11/26/2019

Most states require a wait before lawmakers become lobbyists. Recent federal probes point out the need for Illinois to do the same.

TAGS: cooling off period, corrupt, corruption, florida, Illinois, Illinois General Assembly, Kansas, lawmakers, lobbying, lobbyists, Michigan, revolving door, Springfield

With another lawmaker under arrest, Madigan’s words are worthless on corruption

By Austin Berg

11/01/2019

Don’t despair. Be part of the story where Illinoisans break the mold.

TAGS: lobbying, Luis Arroyo, Martin Sandoval, Mike Madigan

Former Lake Forest city manager indicted following Amtrak lobbying scandal

By Vincent Caruso

10/27/2019

A grand jury indicted Lake Forest’s longtime city manager for making $200,000 in unauthorized payments to a lobbying firm in an effort to attract funding for an unpopular proposed Amtrak stop.

TAGS: corruption, Lake Forest, lobbying

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

By Tivas Gupta

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

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

Longtime Illinois House Rep. Lou Lang resigns, joins lobbying firm

By Vincent Caruso

01/08/2019

The former deputy majority leader resigned his House seat two days prior to being sworn into the 101st General Assembly. A Springfield lobbying firm hired him.

TAGS: Advantage Government Strategies, Illinois House of Representatives, lobbying, Lou Lang

Waste watch: Evanston spent $700K on lobbying and promotions despite budget deficit

By Vincent Caruso

10/11/2018

In an effort to close a $7.4 million shortfall, the city of Evanston’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year includes police and fire cuts along with a string of tax hikes – highlighting the need to trim government waste and push for structural reform in Springfield.

TAGS: budget, evanston, lobbying, property taxes, taxes, waste

Illinois government worker unions spend millions on political activities and lobbying

By Mailee Smith

06/27/2018

Government workers’ union dues are passed on to state and national affiliates, which spend millions of dollars on political activities and lobbying every year.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, IEA, IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association, IEANEA, IFT, IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers, Janus v. AFSCME, lobbying, NEA

Power in payments: Illinois can help unbanked residents, save money by adopting best practices in payment methods

Each year, tens of billions of dollars flow through Illinois state government.1 These flows all depend on methods of payment. In deciding on those payment methods, policymakers must consider a number of important factors, including security controls, cost effectiveness, accessibility, speed and allowance for choice. This report shows that by adopting best practices across all...

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Power in payments: Illinois can help unbanked residents, save money by adopting best practices in payment methods

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Ifeoma Nkemdi

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

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