Top 3 myths told by Amendment 1 proponents

By Mailee Smith

10/10/2022

Proponents of Amendment 1 claim it applies to all workers, mimics other state constitutions and would help the economy. Wrong. Wrong. And wrong.

TAGS: Amendment 1, workers rights

Fact check: Private sector workers excluded from Amendment 1

By Mailee Smith

10/06/2022

Despite proponents’ claims, the rights outlined in Amendment 1 cannot apply to non-government employees. U.S. Supreme Court precedent already makes that clear. So did the proposal’s Illinois Senate sponsor.

TAGS: Amendment 1

Pritzker tells 2 state senators to resign after corruption allegations

By Patrick Andriesen

09/23/2022

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is demanding resignations from two longtime Democratic state senators. One faces federal bribery charges in connection with red-light cameras. The other allegations of domestic abuse and harassment of a top staffer.

TAGS: red light cameras

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

By Joe Tabor

08/17/2022

Published Aug. 17, 2022 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...

Pritzker administration failed to report unemployment fraud data

By Dylan Sharkey

08/16/2022

A U.S. Department of Labor report stated Illinois failed to report theft of pandemic relief money as required. Illinois lost over half of pandemic unemployment funds to fraud.

TAGS: fraud, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker

Lightfoot’s limos get 5 speed camera tickets, pay none

By Patrick Andriesen

07/28/2022

Mayor Lori Lightfoot just cried ‘safety’ in fending off an effort to curb the speed cameras that issued more tickets than Chicago has residents. But her travel detail has its own need for speed: 3 speed cam tickets and 2 warnings.

TAGS: Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, mayor, speed cameras, speed limit

Lightfoot policy change could quadruple Chicago property tax hike in 2023

By Dylan Sharkey

07/19/2022

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s decision to tie property taxes to inflation in 2020 is coming back to bite taxpayers.

TAGS: Chicago, inflation, Lori Lightfoot, property taxes

Audit reveals Illinois lost nearly $2 billion to COVID-19 unemployment fraud

By Patrick Andriesen

06/17/2022

A state audit found the Illinois Department of Employment Security lost to fraud more than half of the $3.6 billion in federal COVID-19 dollars earmarked for out-of-work Illinoisans. The full scope of the unemployment fraud remains unknown.

TAGS: COVID-19, fraud, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Pritzker: No ‘silver bullet’ for pension crisis

By Dylan Sharkey

06/08/2022

Gov. J.B Pritzker touted his record on pensions, claiming his administration reduced pension debt. He cites an analysis of state pension data but fails to mention its conclusion suggesting reform.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, pensions

Former state Rep. Luis Arroyo gets 57 months for bribery scheme

By Patrick Andriesen

05/26/2022

The former Illinois House assistant majority leader now faces nearly 5 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to accepting and soliciting bribes to expand sweepstakes gambling legislation in Springfield.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, gambling, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly

Chicago Tribune

Top 3 myths told by Amendment 1 proponents

Fact check: Private sector workers excluded from Amendment 1

Pritzker tells 2 state senators to resign after corruption allegations

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

Pritzker administration failed to report unemployment fraud data

Lightfoot’s limos get 5 speed camera tickets, pay none

Lightfoot policy change could quadruple Chicago property tax hike in 2023

Audit reveals Illinois lost nearly $2 billion to COVID-19 unemployment fraud

Pritzker: No ‘silver bullet’ for pension crisis

Former state Rep. Luis Arroyo gets 57 months for bribery scheme

What is the Education Freedom Tax Credit and how can it benefit Illinois students?

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