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

By Joe Kaiser

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

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension costs, including pension bond...

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Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

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Cathy Stuehmeier

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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