3 key takeaways from the May 18 union rally in Springfield

By Mailee Smith

05/19/2016

AFSCME members lobbied for $3 billion in additional pay and benefits, showing their lack of concern for Illinois’ overburdened taxpayers.

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

All tax hikes, no reform: Illinois politicians should reject ‘budgeteer’ budget plan

By Craig Lesner

05/18/2016

Instead of talking about the necessary, structural reforms to help the state, a collection of Illinois lawmakers want to ask taxpayers to give more to continue irresponsible policies.

TAGS: budget

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

AFSCME demands more from taxpayers while Illinois’ middle class continues to suffer

By Michael Lucci

05/12/2016

AFSCME Illinois State Employees Contract

HB 580 would give a panel of unelected arbitrators power to approve an AFSCME contract that would cost taxpayers an additional $3 billion over the next four years.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, manufacturing

Madigan continues to block term limits

By Austin Berg

05/05/2016

Madigan has been in office since 1971 and has served as Illinois House speaker for 31 of the past 33 years.

TAGS: John Cullerton, Mike Madigan, term limits

The progressive income tax is dead – again

By Heather Weiner

05/04/2016

According to the Illinois Department of Revenue the progressive tax would've cost Illinois 20,000 private-sector jobs, 43,000 residents to other states on net, and $1.9 billion in GDP over the first four years.

Burke saved Trump $11.7M in Chicago property-tax appeal scheme

By Austin Berg

04/30/2016

Donald Trump, Chicago Alderman Edward Burke

Flawed property valuations and the process required to fix them are a cash cow for law firms, including those of House Speaker Mike Madigan, Chicago Alderman Ed Burke and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton.

TAGS: Chicago, Donald Trump, Ed Burke, property taxes

Illinois progressive-tax proposal is a middle-class tax hike in disguise

By Mark Adams

04/21/2016

A progressive tax would give Illinois politicians carte blanche to raise rates, which would end up sticking middle-class taxpayers with rates originally intended for “the rich” – all while chasing still more residents and businesses out of the state.

TAGS: fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, progressive income tax

Madigan’s ‘millionaire tax’ fails in House

By Hilary Gowins

04/20/2016

The House speaker’s proposal to hike taxes on small businesses failed to garner the 71 necessary “yes” votes needed to pass out of the House on April 20.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, millionaire tax

Illinois corruption watch: March 2016

04/04/2016

Several instances of corruption and mismanagement of public property and trust came to light in March and included new developments in cases involving Chicago Public Schools’ former CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

TAGS: corruption

Democratic Party

3 key takeaways from the May 18 union rally in Springfield

All tax hikes, no reform: Illinois politicians should reject ‘budgeteer’ budget plan

Madigan lawyer sues to block fair-map amendment

AFSCME demands more from taxpayers while Illinois’ middle class continues to suffer

Madigan continues to block term limits

The progressive income tax is dead – again

Burke saved Trump $11.7M in Chicago property-tax appeal scheme

Illinois progressive-tax proposal is a middle-class tax hike in disguise

Madigan’s ‘millionaire tax’ fails in House

Illinois corruption watch: March 2016

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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