U.S. Supreme Court agrees to take up Wisconsin gerrymandering case

By Marianna Schmiesing

08/03/2017

Illinois’ election districts heavily dilute suburban vote.

TAGS: election, fair maps, gerrymandering, independent maps, U.S. Supreme Court, Wisconsin

Illinois lawmakers pass legislation requiring financial impact statements on executive orders, ignore cost of bills they pass

06/08/2017

House Bill 2379 would require fiscal impact statements on every executive order. However, less than 3 percent of bills enacted into law in the 99th General Assembly had fiscal notes.

TAGS: budget, Fiscal Notes

Illinois fiscal collapse began long before the 2-year budget impasse

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

06/01/2017

Illinois’ budgetary mess preceded Gov. Bruce Rauner’s tenure, with years of gimmicks, borrowing and broken promises.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, Bruce Rauner, budget, Mike Madigan, Rich Miller, Rod Blagojevich

2 graphics show why Illinois’ social services and taxpayers are getting stiffed

By Michael Lucci

04/25/2017

Government worker retirement costs and interest on state retirement debt are squeezing out funding for social service providers and taxpayer relief.

TAGS: budget, John Cullerton, pensions, social services

Springfield 2016: Taxpayer, criminal justice victories amid ongoing budget gridlock

By Ari DeWolf

12/25/2016

Although the battle for the budget drags on, there were several important legislative wins for Illinoisans in 2016 including criminal justice reform, averting tax hikes, and stopping Madigan’s agenda in the lame duck session.

The cost of crossing Madigan

By Eric Kohn

10/21/2016

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s election to the speaker position in 16 of the last 17 legislative sessions is a testament to the loyalty he demands from his Democratic colleagues.

TAGS: Helen Satterthwaite, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Mike Madigan, Richard Mautino

Madigan’s map: Cook County judge blocks redistricting reform efforts

By Austin Berg

07/20/2016

A longtime associate of House Speaker Mike Madigan is working to silence Illinois voters on the subject of political mapmaking.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, fair maps, Mike Madigan

Madigan lawyer sues to block fair-map amendment

By Austin Berg

05/12/2016

In Illinois, politicians pick their voters.

TAGS: fair maps, gerrymandering, Mike Madigan

Evanston Public Library second in Illinois to win Sunshine Award

09/20/2015

The Evanston Public Libray is a fantastic example of a local-government body going above and beyond to promote online transparency for residents.

TAGS: Sunshine Award

Union arbitration bill would hurt Illinois taxpayers

By Jim Long

08/16/2015

If state politicians override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of SB 1229, they would remove even more state spending from taxpayer oversight.

Democracy

U.S. Supreme Court agrees to take up Wisconsin gerrymandering case

Illinois lawmakers pass legislation requiring financial impact statements on executive orders, ignore cost of bills they pass

Illinois fiscal collapse began long before the 2-year budget impasse

2 graphics show why Illinois’ social services and taxpayers are getting stiffed

Springfield 2016: Taxpayer, criminal justice victories amid ongoing budget gridlock

The cost of crossing Madigan

Madigan’s map: Cook County judge blocks redistricting reform efforts

Madigan lawyer sues to block fair-map amendment

Evanston Public Library second in Illinois to win Sunshine Award

Union arbitration bill would hurt Illinois taxpayers

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help 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