Unions put up roadblocks for bills that could have freed up more money for Illinois classrooms, expanded opportunities for Illinois health care workers and ensured police officers are subject to better accountability under state law.
Illinois law lets police union contracts overpower state law
If the Illinois General Assembly wants to see true police reforms, it must first change the state law that gives police union contracts more power than public laws and regulations. Without that change, reforms become empty intentions.
Illinois lawmakers hand Pritzker another tax loss, pass Chicago pension hike
Lame duck session was busy even when House Democrats weren’t focused on replacing Mike Madigan as speaker. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s small business tax hike died as 23 bills were passed, including one making Chicago’s pension woes worse.
DuPage County voters will decide ballot question on defunding police
Amid nationwide calls to defund the police, voters in DuPage County can make their voices heard by voting on two advisory referendums.
To reform policing, Illinois must rehabilitate its errant labor laws
A police union contract that protects deviant officers while muzzling those who wish to serve honorably is one set up to fail the public.
Illinois Supreme Court denies Chicago police union request to destroy misconduct records
While Illinois law explicitly states union contracts trump all other state laws, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled a police contract allowing the destruction of disciplinarily records defies public policy and cannot be enforced.
In the wake of George Floyd’s death, Springfield has essential work to do
Illinois lawmakers cannot afford to delay action in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Jury awards record $44.7M in Chicago police misconduct case
This latest amount broke the previous city payout record of $25 million for a wrongful conviction suit in 2012.
Chicago Police Department audit reveals millions lost in overtime abuse and waste
The city’s police department has gone over budget for overtime every year for the past six years, costing Chicago taxpayers $575 million in spending for overtime pay.
Cost of police misconduct highlights need for risk management
The city of Chicago paid over $146 million in police misconduct and public safety claims in 2013 and 2014, according to the city inspector general’s report.