With another lawmaker under arrest, Madigan’s words are worthless on corruption

By Austin Berg

11/01/2019

Don’t despair. Be part of the story where Illinoisans break the mold.

TAGS: lobbying, Luis Arroyo, Martin Sandoval, Mike Madigan

Pritzker gas tax to help fund $205.5M ‘exit to nowhere’

10/25/2019

Gov. J.B. Pritzker just bumped up funding for road construction to a non-existent airport to $205.5 million, paid in part with his doubled gas tax. The airport remains a distant idea, but the road will soon be concrete.

TAGS: airport, gas tax, JB Pritzker, Peotone, taxes

Peotone airport gains in new state budget, but history shows taxpayers lose

09/27/2019

Funding for a third Chicagoland airport was included in the latest state budget. The controversial plan brings a risk for more corruption and overspending that will cost taxpayers millions.

TAGS: airport, budget, JB Pritzker, Peotone, taxes

Watchdog: Cook County clerk illegally hired political connections

09/14/2019

A watchdog has accused Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough of running an “illegal patronage” operation, and is calling for federal oversight of her office.

TAGS: Cook County, Cook County Clerk, corruption, Karen Yarbrough, patronage

Culture of harassment, bullying in Madigan’s office detailed in probe

By Austin Berg

08/22/2019

Government employees under Madigan’s watch were made to feel accountable to lobbyists, political campaign staff and other outside interests. Not the public.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan, Springfield

As corruption looms large in Illinois, Pritzker reforms are MIA

By Austin Berg

07/25/2019

Tackling Illinois corruption isn’t just a moral imperative. It’s a financial necessity.

TAGS: corruption, fair maps, house rules, JB Pritzker, Legislative Inspector General, lobbying, Madigan & Getzendanner, Mike Madigan, redistricting, revolving door

Feds investigating lobbyist checks cut to fired Madigan political lieutenant

By Austin Berg

07/25/2019

Further details are emerging in the wake of May raids on longtime allies of Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.

TAGS: corruption, Marty Quinn, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

The time is ripe for Illinois to end gerrymandering

By Austin Berg

06/27/2019

With support for fair maps in the Illinois General Assembly, a hungry electorate and a national conversation on gerrymandering, is the Land of Lincoln finally ready to change its own backwards mapmaking?

TAGS: fair maps, gerrymandering, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan, redistricting

Madigan’s power runs deeper than the speaker vote

By Austin Berg

01/10/2019

Many things have changed in state government during the past 36 years. Madigan has held constant.

TAGS: Anne Stava-Murray, house rules, House Speaker, Mike Madigan

Madigan re-elected to 18th term as Illinois House Speaker

By Austin Berg

01/09/2019

The longtime speaker has held the gavel for 34 of the past 36 years, and maintains procedural powers unheard of in other states.

TAGS: house rules, House Speaker, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois House of Representatives, Mike Madigan

Democratic Party of Illinois

With another lawmaker under arrest, Madigan’s words are worthless on corruption

Pritzker gas tax to help fund $205.5M ‘exit to nowhere’

Peotone airport gains in new state budget, but history shows taxpayers lose

Watchdog: Cook County clerk illegally hired political connections

Culture of harassment, bullying in Madigan’s office detailed in probe

As corruption looms large in Illinois, Pritzker reforms are MIA

Feds investigating lobbyist checks cut to fired Madigan political lieutenant

The time is ripe for Illinois to end gerrymandering

Madigan’s power runs deeper than the speaker vote

Madigan re-elected to 18th term as Illinois House Speaker

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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