Feds investigating former Cook County assessor, Madigan rainmaker Joe Berrios

By Austin Berg

12/17/2019

The probe potentially opens up a new front in authorities’ investigation of House Speaker Mike Madigan: the property tax appeals game from which he has made millions.

TAGS: capital project, Chicago, conflict of interest, Cook County, Cook County assessor, Cook County Democratic Party, corruption, Ed Burke, federal investigation, house rules, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, JB Pritzker, Joseph Berrios, Legislative Inspector General, legislative map, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan, property taxes, redistricting, revolving door, Rod Blagojevich, Springfield

Property tax relief task force votes against ending costly conflicts of interest

By Vincent Caruso

09/12/2019

Some Illinois lawmakers supplement their income doing property tax appeals work at private law firms. A property tax relief task force that includes some of those lawmakers killed a proposal to end that conflict of interest.

TAGS: Deanne Mazzochi, Ed Burke, Klafter & Burke, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan, property taxes

Burke steps down from property tax appeals business, Madigan remains

By Austin Berg

08/23/2019

Ald. Ed Burke has long been criticized for operating a lucrative law business in the politically clouted world of Cook County property tax appeals, a world in which the speaker of the Illinois House of Representative continues to make money.

TAGS: corruption, Ed Burke, Klafter & Burke, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan

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

FBI raids home of Madigan confidant in third search surrounding the speaker

By Austin Berg

07/18/2019

Do federal authorities have their sights set on the longest-serving state legislative leader in American history?

TAGS: Kevin Quinn, Madigan & Getzendanner, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

Feds raid former Chicago alderman’s home in search of Madigan records

By Austin Berg

07/13/2019

The raid on retired Chicago Ald. Michael Zalewski is the latest indication federal authorities could be building a case against the nation’s longest-serving speaker.

TAGS: ComEd, Exelon, Madigan & Getzendanner, Michael McClain, Mike Madigan

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

FBI secretly recorded Madigan at his law office

By Austin Berg

01/29/2019

Madigan has long been criticized for his control of a lucrative law firm specializing in Cook County property tax appeals.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Danny Solis, Ed Burke, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, House Speaker, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan

Cook County assessor candidate calls for ban on aldermen serving as property tax attorneys

By Vincent Caruso

08/24/2018

The Democratic nominee in the Cook County assessor’s race is voicing support for a ban on city aldermen doubling as property tax appeals attorneys, an arrangement that encourages conflicts of interest.

TAGS: Ed Burke, Fritz Kaegi, Joseph Berrios, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan, Patrick Daley Thompson, Patrick O'Connor, property taxes, Toni Preckwinkle

30 years later: How Madigan kept the Cubs in the dark

08/08/2018

Thirty years ago Aug. 8, the Chicago Cubs played their first game under lights at Wrigley Field – after first battling Chicago politicians for the right to do so.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago Cubs, Edward “Fast Eddie” Vrdolyak, ISFA: Illinois Sports Facility Authority, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan, Tom Tunney

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...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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