L.A. Tan has settled a class action lawsuit in which plaintiffs alleged the company stored customers’ fingerprint data in violation of Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act, or BIPA. Whether this settlement opens the gates to a flood of BIPA litigation remains to be seen.

TAGS: BIPA: Biometric Information Privacy Act, regulations

Property taxes mount on ‘Home Alone’ house

By Brendan Bakala

12/05/2016

Real reform to help overtaxed Illinoisans – such as a property-tax cap and aggressive government consolidation – would be the gift that keeps giving the whole year round.

TAGS: property taxes

Local corruption hits Chicago, suburbs and downstate communities

12/04/2016

November was a sad reminder of the corruption at various levels of Illinois government from retired House Speaker Denny Hastert to the small Village of Bellwood.

TAGS: corruption, good government

Madigan’s millions: Why the speaker should release his tax returns

By Austin Berg

11/16/2016

Every dollar Madigan earns back for his corporate clients makes someone else’s property-tax bill go up.

TAGS: income tax, Mike Madigan, property taxes, taxes

AFSCME: The 800-pound gorilla at the negotiating table

By Mailee Smith

11/14/2016

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees claims to be seeking a “fair contract” on behalf of Illinois state workers. But the power and influence exerted by the state’s largest government-worker union means the bargaining table almost always tilts in AFSCME’s favor. The reality is that AFSCME is the power player in negotiations...

DuPage residents vote to consolidate local units of government

By Brendan Bakala

11/11/2016

Voters in Naperville and surrounding townships voted in favor of government consolidation in nonbinding ballot questions.

TAGS: local government, local government consolidation, property taxes

Cook County Board approves soda tax

By Brendan Bakala

11/10/2016

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of new tax on sugary and artificially sweetened beverages.

TAGS: Chicago, Cook County, soda tax, taxes, Toni Preckwinkle

Chicago Tribune

Chervon North America to move headquarters to Illinois

Amazon adds 1,000 subsidized jobs to Aurora

IDOT plans to build a new toll lane on the Eisenhower Expressway

LA Tan settles case under Illinois privacy law for $1.5M

Property taxes mount on ‘Home Alone’ house

Local corruption hits Chicago, suburbs and downstate communities

Madigan’s millions: Why the speaker should release his tax returns

AFSCME: The 800-pound gorilla at the negotiating table

DuPage residents vote to consolidate local units of government

Cook County Board approves soda tax

Who Lives Below the Poverty Line in Illinois? Family Structure and Education Mark the Highest Risk

Report Archive

Take advantage of the various ways to vote

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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