Red-light camera vendor at heart of corruption probes gets PPP loan

07/08/2020

SafeSpeed has been involved in a federal investigation that has resulted in corruption charges against multiple Illinois politicians.

TAGS: corruption, COVID-19, PPP: Paycheck Protection Program, red light cameras, SafeSpeed

Investigation shows Madigan had heavy hand in filling state jobs for Pritzker

By Austin Berg

06/19/2020

Illinois public servants expect special privileges. And Gov. J.B. Pritzker is happy to oblige.

TAGS: corruption, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan

5 reasons why Illinois’ latest spending plan insults taxpayers

By Adam Schuster

05/29/2020

Lawmakers made no serious attempt to balance the new budget, instead counting on a federal bailout. They accepted an $1,800 raise for themselves, while only making significant cuts to education.

TAGS: budget, government spending, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, special session

Pritzker’s toilet removal contractor gets nearly $9M in COVID-19 work

05/28/2020

The contractor who removed toilets from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mansion in a $331,000 property tax scandal received a nearly $9 million COVID-19 contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The contractor hadn’t worked with the Corps in 76 years.

TAGS: federal investigation, JB Pritzker, property taxes, tax fraud

Illinois lawmakers introduce bills to delay property tax payments

05/16/2020

Illinoisans who have struggled without paychecks because of the COVID-19 shutdown could get a delay on their property taxes. The hope is they are working again before they must pay the bill.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, property taxes

Opposition to Pritzker’s lockdown spreading rapidly

By Brad Weisenstein

05/15/2020

Opposition to Pritzker’s order is growing, as small business owners sue to challenge the governor’s ability to order them into ruin.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, reopen, small business, stay-at-home

Nonunion Chicago educators sue CTU, AFT to end forced union dues

By Vincent Caruso

05/07/2020

While members can opt out of CTU at any time, the union says they may only stop paying the union if they do so during a one-month period. A lawsuit filed against the union argues this violates teachers’ First Amendment rights.

TAGS: AFT: American Federation of Teachers, Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, government unions, Janus v. AFSCME

Illinois lawmakers offer voters a tax hike, let deadline pass for constitutional reforms

05/05/2020

Only Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive income tax amendment will appear on the ballot in November. Voters were denied a chance to make critical reforms to state government.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, debt, fair maps, pensions, progressive income tax, spending cap, term limits

Gas taxes nearly equal to cost of gas in Illinois

By Brad Weisenstein

04/23/2020

Illinois’ taxes and fees on gasoline keep the pump price high, even when oil producers are paying for someone to take excess crude. The state gas tax is set to rise again in July.

TAGS: Chicago, coronavirus, COVID-19, gas tax, JB Pritzker

Patronage hires lead to federal oversight of Cook County Clerk’s office

04/22/2020

An illegal patronage operation brought on federal oversight when Karen Yarbrough was Cook County’s recorder of deeds. It’s happened again to her as county clerk.

TAGS: Cook County Clerk, corruption, ethics violation, Mike Madigan, patronage

Cook County

Red-light camera vendor at heart of corruption probes gets PPP loan

Investigation shows Madigan had heavy hand in filling state jobs for Pritzker

5 reasons why Illinois’ latest spending plan insults taxpayers

Pritzker’s toilet removal contractor gets nearly $9M in COVID-19 work

Illinois lawmakers introduce bills to delay property tax payments

Opposition to Pritzker’s lockdown spreading rapidly

Nonunion Chicago educators sue CTU, AFT to end forced union dues

Illinois lawmakers offer voters a tax hike, let deadline pass for constitutional reforms

Gas taxes nearly equal to cost of gas in Illinois

Patronage hires lead to federal oversight of Cook County Clerk’s office

Solutions for vacant lots would reduce crime and poverty in Chicago

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