Illinois watchdog’s report of ‘serious misconduct’ was ‘squashed’ by panel of lawmakers

By Joe Tabor
02/07/2020
Illinois’ legislative inspector general investigates complaints against state lawmakers, but a commission of their peers can – and did – bury those findings, the former inspector said. A new bill would change that.

TAGS: corruption, ethics, ethics violation, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform, Jonathan Carroll, Julie Porter, Legislative Ethics Commission, Legislative Inspector General, OEIG: Office of the Executive Inspector General, sexual harrassment, Springfield, transparency, watchdog

How Illinois unions re-gifted member dues to Madigan for sexual harassment settlement

By Austin Berg
12/19/2019
So who wants to fund a highly unpopular politician’s sexual harassment settlement on behalf of a disgraced political worker under federal investigation? Executives at Illinois’ largest public-sector labor unions.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Alaina Hampton, Christmas, government unions, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Janus v. AFSCME, JB Pritzker, Kevin Quinn, Mike Madigan, PAC: political action committee, SEIU: Service Employees International Union, sexual harrassment, Springfield, unions

SEIU member dues fund Madigan campaign’s defense in sexual harassment lawsuit

By Mailee Smith
12/16/2019
SEIU’s political action committees gave $113,200 to Friends of Michael J. Madigan – the same election committee the longtime Illinois House speaker used to pay legal fees in a sexual harassment lawsuit against his organization.

TAGS: Alaina Hampton, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Illinois State Board of Elections, Mike Madigan, SEIU: Service Employees International Union, sexual harrassment, Springfield

AFSCME dues help defend Madigan in sexual harassment lawsuit

By Mailee Smith
12/13/2019
AFSCME gave $71,400 in October to Friends of Michael J. Madigan – the same election committee the Illinois House speaker used to pay legal fees in a sexual harassment lawsuit.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Alaina Hampton, exclusive representation, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Illinois State Board of Elections, Mike Madigan, sexual harrassment, Springfield, unions