Architect of Illinois gas tax hike resigns committee chairmanship amid federal probe

By Vincent Caruso

10/11/2019

State Sen. Martin Sandoval has resigned as chairman of the powerful Illinois Senate Transportation Committee, weeks after federal authorities raided Sandoval’s home and offices as part of an ongoing corruption probe.

TAGS: capital bill, FBI, gas tax, JB Pritzker, John Cullerton, Lyons, Martin Sandoval, McCook, Mike Madigan, red light cameras, SafeSpeed, Summit, trasportation

FBI, IRS continue raids by targeting 3 village offices in Cook County

By Vincent Caruso

09/27/2019

Federal agents raided the offices of three suburban villages, including one governed by a mayor who doubles as a Cook County commissioner. All three are in the district of state Sen. Martin Sandoval, also the subject of a federal raid.

TAGS: capital bill, capital project, Christopher Getty, corruption, Jay Hoffman, Jeff Tobolski, Kevin Quinn, Lightfoot, Lyons, Martin Sandoval, McCook, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Summit, Tom Cullerton

Was corruption at the heart of Illinois’ gas tax hike?

By Austin Berg

09/26/2019

The target, state Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, is as clouted as they come.

TAGS: corruption, FBI, JB Pritzker, John Cullerton, Lori Lightfoot, Martin Sandoval, Mike Madigan

Feds raid home, offices of Illinois lawmaker close to Madigan

By Vincent Caruso

09/24/2019

A fourth political ally of Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has become the latest target of an ongoing federal investigation.

TAGS: corruption, FBI, Martin Sandoval, Mike Madigan

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

Judge rules in Madigan’s favor on ‘sham candidate’ lawsuit

By Austin Berg

08/26/2019

Lawyers for Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan argued that even if he did recruit so-called “sham candidates” to siphon votes away from his 2016 primary opponent, such tactics aren’t against the law.

TAGS: election, Jason Gonzales, Kevin Quinn, Mike Madigan, Shaw Decremer

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

Culture of harassment, bullying in Madigan’s office detailed in probe

By Austin Berg

08/22/2019

Government employees under Madigan’s watch were made to feel accountable to lobbyists, political campaign staff and other outside interests. Not the public.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan, Springfield

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

Feds investigating lobbyist checks cut to fired Madigan political lieutenant

By Austin Berg

07/25/2019

Further details are emerging in the wake of May raids on longtime allies of Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.

TAGS: corruption, Marty Quinn, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain