Illinois special interests seize power through low voter turnout

08/22/2022

Illinois mandates off-year municipal elections, but they result in lower voter turnout that gives powerful special interest groups more influence and diminishes local voters’ concerns.

TAGS: municipal government, voter suppression, voting

Taking a ballot selfie is a felony in Illinois

By Austin Berg

06/28/2022

Voters wanting to share their Election Day pride best not do it with a voting booth selfie posted to social media. That’s a felony in Illinois.

TAGS: ballot, election, Election Day, voting

Union bosses, not voters, will decide how to run Illinois if Amendment 1 passes

By Mailee Smith

11/03/2021

Amendment 1 would constitutionally prohibit Illinois lawmakers from pulling back on union power. It would give government union bosses more power than voters and than those elected to represent voters’ interests.

TAGS: Amendment 1, government unions, Illinois, voting

Illinois House in limbo until speaker is elected

By Joe Tabor

01/12/2021

With Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan reportedly short of the 60 votes needed to hold on to the speakership, Illinois House members will have to line up behind a new candidate before they can get down to business.

TAGS: House Rules Committee, House Speaker, Mike Madigan, voting

How has COVID-19 affected Election Day?

10/30/2020

Increased early voting, younger poll workers and masks are the trend amid the COVID-19 crisis

TAGS: ballot, election, Illinois, voting

Frequently asked questions about voting in Illinois

10/29/2020

This is an unprecedented year for voting in Illinois, thanks to COVID-19 and new voting laws. Here are some of the most common questions.

TAGS: ballot, election, Illinois, voting

Citizen’s guide to overseeing elections processes

10/29/2020

Illinoisans can work elections through numerous positions from election judges to polling place technicians

TAGS: ballot, Election Day, voting

Not registered and it’s Election Day? You can still vote

10/02/2020

Illinois allows you to register and vote on Election Day, which this year gives you a voice on your income taxes.

TAGS: Election Day, Illinois, voting

Pensions / Research Report

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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