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

Illinois school districts spend taxpayer money on Springfield lobbying

By Eddie Damstra

06/01/2018

Residents are seeing property tax dollars flow toward lobbying for policies that increase homeowners’ property tax bills.

TAGS: education, lobbying, property taxes, school district consolidation

Off the rails: Estimated cost for Lake Forest Amtrak stop has grown by more than 400 percent

By Vincent Caruso

03/12/2018

Efforts to add an Amtrak train stop in Lake Forest have been plagued by a series of setbacks for a project now estimated to cost more than $13.4 million.

TAGS: Amtrak, budget, grants, lobbying

Bill would bar Cook County elected officials from working as lobbyists, owning lobbying firms

By Austin Berg

03/07/2018

Countywide elected officials would be barred from working as registered lobbyists or owning a lobbying firm under a new bill in the General Assembly.

TAGS: Cook County, Joseph Berrios, lobbying

Report: Lake Forest officials squandered $200K on lobbying costs without city approval

By Vincent Caruso

03/02/2018

An independent investigation found nearly $200,000 went toward lobbying the state and federal government for an Amtrak train stop - funds that were spent behind the back of city lawmakers and taxpayers.

TAGS: lobbying

Former Illinois lawmakers powered by energy interests

By Austin Berg

08/17/2017

No Americans trust their state government less than Illinoisans.

TAGS: corruption, Ed Burke, good government, lobbying, Mike Madigan

Corruption costs Illinois taxpayers at least $550M per year

Chicago is the most corrupt city, and Illinois the third-most corrupt state, in the nation, according to a recent report by the University of Illinois at Chicago. But corruption in Illinois is more than a buzzword. It comes with social and economic costs. Not only does corruption lessen residents’ faith in the government, it decreases...

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Corruption costs Illinois taxpayers at least $550M per year

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Scott Reboletti

Policy lessons from Illinois’ exodus of people and money

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