Corruption Watch: January 2015

By Shawn Tonge

02/11/2015

The start of a new year always comes with resolutions for improvement, but only time will tell if they translate into effective action.

TAGS: good government

Governments unions veer from mission in Illinois

By David Giuliani

02/11/2015

Big spending at hotels, holiday parties and retirement events is financed by forced dues.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, labor, SEIU: Service Employees International Union, unions

How unions spend workers’ money

By David Giuliani

02/09/2015

In 2013, SEIU Healthcare Illinois-Indiana spent a total of $1.5 million on such things as hotels, air travel, rental cars, and restaurants and catering. These “extras” represent the money of 3,092 members and nonmembers, or 3.3 percent of the union’s total membership.

TAGS: labor

Tribune investigation exposes Emanuel patronage politics

By Austin Berg

02/07/2015

Research found more than half of the mayor’s top 100 donors benefitted from city government, “receiving contracts, zoning changes, business permits, pension work, board appointments, regulatory help or some other tangible benefit.”

TAGS: Chicago, election, mayor, patronage, Rahm Emanuel

86% of Illinois state lawmakers received money from major government unions since 2002

By David Giuliani

02/06/2015

House Speaker Mike Madigan received more than $1.1 million since 2002 from the state’s five major public unions.

Missing the boat on Right to Work

02/06/2015

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce seems to hold contradictory opinions when it comes to economic opportunity.

TAGS: prevailing wage, right to work

5 signs Illinois’ economy is failing, and 5 ways to fix it

By Michael Lucci

02/05/2015

The people of Illinois – workers, entrepreneurs and business owners – have been held back by policy errors that have plagued the state for decades. But with the proper policy framework, the state can come back to life and lead the Midwest.

TAGS: jobs

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s State of the State address

By illinoispolicy

02/04/2015

Gov. Bruce Rauner's State of the State Address. February 4, 2015

State of the state: 10 pension facts every Illinoisan should know

By Benjamin VanMetre

02/03/2015

How bad the pension crisis really is, and why getting politicians out of the retirement business is the only way to solve it.

TAGS: pensions

State of the state: 10 facts you need to know about public education in IL

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

02/03/2015

High levels of spending and a one-size-fits-all educational system have not been able to boost student achievement in Illinois.

TAGS: education

Chicago

Corruption Watch: January 2015

Governments unions veer from mission in Illinois

How unions spend workers’ money

Tribune investigation exposes Emanuel patronage politics

86% of Illinois state lawmakers received money from major government unions since 2002

Missing the boat on Right to Work

5 signs Illinois’ economy is failing, and 5 ways to fix it

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s State of the State address

State of the state: 10 pension facts every Illinoisan should know

State of the state: 10 facts you need to know about public education in IL

Taxed out: 10 reforms to stop Illinois from losing people and jobs

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