Madigan re-elected chairman of Illinois Democratic Party

By Austin Berg

04/23/2018

The longtime House speaker is the only state legislative leader in the nation to also serve as a party chairman.

TAGS: Democrats, house rules, Mike Madigan

Illinois bonds once again rated just above junk

By Adam Schuster

04/10/2018

One rating agency cited Illinois’ “persistent crisis-like budget environment” as explanation for the state’s near-junk credit. A spending cap constitutional amendment and pension reform could go a long way toward putting the state on a healthier fiscal path.

TAGS: bonds, credit rating, Moody's Investor Service

Pothole season in Chicago: How to file a claim for vehicle damages

By Chris Lentino

04/09/2018

Residents can recoup some costs after hitting one of the Windy City’s infamous potholes.

TAGS: Chicago

390,000 drivers set to receive refunds for red-light and speed camera tickets

By Brendan Bakala

01/30/2018

Nearly 4 in 10 of those eligible for refunds made a claim for an average refund check of $36.62.

TAGS: Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, red light cameras

Chicago City Council approves $5.5 million TIF subsidy for private health provider

By Vincent Caruso

01/19/2018

Under the guise of rehabilitating underserved communities, Chicago City Council approved another tax transfer to a private company.

TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, property taxes, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

Rauner announces plan to ban lawmakers from working as property tax lawyers

By Austin Berg

01/18/2018

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and state Rep. Robert Martwick are all involved in the clout-heavy cottage industry of property tax appeals.

TAGS: Ed Burke, Joseph Berrios, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan, property taxes, Robert Martwick

Berrios fined $41K for donations from property tax appeals lawyers

By Brendan Bakala

01/18/2018

The Cook County assessor may have to pay $41,000 in fines for accepting donations in excess of the limit allowed by Cook County campaign finance rules.

TAGS: Cook County, Joseph Berrios, property taxes

Cook County state’s attorney approved $2M property tax settlement for Alderman Ed Burke’s client

By Amy Korte

01/16/2018

The office of Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx signed off on a $2 million property tax settlement with the property tax firm headed by Foxx campaign donor Alderman Ed Burke.

TAGS: Cook County, Ed Burke, Joseph Berrios, property taxes

Chicago set to drive up fee on ‘booted’ vehicles

By Vincent Caruso

01/13/2018

City Council gave private ‘booting’ companies the blessing to charge Chicagoans more to remove the device from vehicles.

TAGS: Chicago, parking violations

Freeze-out: Government union strike could cripple Chicago this winter

By Mailee Smith

01/04/2018

A potential strike by Teamsters Local 700 – which represents snowplow operators in Chicago – could have a disastrous impact on travel and safety in the city. Unlike neighboring states, Illinois law enshrines this “right to strike,” thereby giving government worker unions enormous power in bargaining.

TAGS: Chicago, collective bargaining, strike, Teamsters

Chicago Sun-Times

Madigan re-elected chairman of Illinois Democratic Party

Illinois bonds once again rated just above junk

Pothole season in Chicago: How to file a claim for vehicle damages

390,000 drivers set to receive refunds for red-light and speed camera tickets

Chicago City Council approves $5.5 million TIF subsidy for private health provider

Rauner announces plan to ban lawmakers from working as property tax lawyers

Berrios fined $41K for donations from property tax appeals lawyers

Cook County state’s attorney approved $2M property tax settlement for Alderman Ed Burke’s client

Chicago set to drive up fee on ‘booted’ vehicles

Freeze-out: Government union strike could cripple Chicago this winter

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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