Leaked Clinton emails display Madigan’s power ahead of documentary release

By Austin Berg

10/14/2016

Madigan rules Illinois with an iron grip. And failure to follow through on a favor can come with dire consequences.

TAGS: Chicago, Hillary Clinton, Mike Madigan, Wikileaks

The Illinoisans who vote for Madigan

By Austin Berg

10/07/2016

Just as Illinoisans elect state representatives, state representatives elect the speaker of the House every two years. To become the speaker, Madigan just needs a majority vote.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Mike Madigan

AFSCME’s goal: Elect union-friendly politicians as end run around contract negotiations

By Mailee Smith

10/07/2016

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal employees has used stall tactics in labor negotiations, in an apparent attempt to wait out the state till more union-friendly lawmakers could be elected and hand AFSCME its demands outside the contract negotiating process.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees

Rauner, lawmakers push for IDs for ex-offenders

By Bryant Jackson-Green

09/30/2016

Gov. Bruce Rauner and a bipartisan group of lawmakers are supporting SB 3368, which would issue IDs to ex-offenders immediately upon release from prison, easing their transition to post-prison life and employment.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, prison, prison reform

Madigan’s army: Power through patronage

By Austin Berg

09/29/2016

Illinoisans have the lowest trust in state government of any state in the nation.

TAGS: corruption, good government, Mike Madigan, patronage

Amid political darkness, a bright spot in criminal justice reform

By Austin Berg

09/23/2016

Pete Leonard has employed 35 ex-offenders since 2009 at Second Chance Coffee Company in Wheaton.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, reentry

Has Madigan given up on economic opportunity and responsible government?

By Michael Lucci

09/13/2016

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s current tax-and-spend policies and protection of special interests stand in contrast to the speaker’s past statements declaring the need for economic growth and opportunity.

TAGS: income tax, jobs, Mike Madigan, personal income, taxes, unemployment

Illinois bill backlog expected to hit $14 billion

By Brendan Bakala

09/01/2016

Illinois’ unpaid bills could reach new highs by summer 2017.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, Leslie Munger, unpaid bills

Rauner signs bill to discourage incarceration for low-level offenders with no prior violent convictions

By Amy Korte

08/30/2016

Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed into law Senate Bill 3164, which requires a court to review a presentencing report and explain why incarceration is appropriate prior to imposing a prison sentence on a Class 3 or Class 4 felony offender with no prior violent convictions.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, sentencing reform

Illinois Supreme Court strikes down remap referendum

By Austin Berg

08/25/2016

The Illinois Supreme Court affirmed an earlier decision keeping the legislative mapmaking process in political hands.

TAGS: fair maps, gerrymandering, Illinois Supreme Court, Mike Madigan

Democratic Party

Leaked Clinton emails display Madigan’s power ahead of documentary release

The Illinoisans who vote for Madigan

AFSCME’s goal: Elect union-friendly politicians as end run around contract negotiations

Rauner, lawmakers push for IDs for ex-offenders

Madigan’s army: Power through patronage

Amid political darkness, a bright spot in criminal justice reform

Has Madigan given up on economic opportunity and responsible government?

Illinois bill backlog expected to hit $14 billion

Rauner signs bill to discourage incarceration for low-level offenders with no prior violent convictions

Illinois Supreme Court strikes down remap referendum

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