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

61% of Illinois voters support Right to Work, poll finds

By Mailee Smith

03/23/2016

A new poll conducted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute in February 2016 reveals that a clear majority of voters – including 55 percent of Democrats and 51 percent of union members – support or lean toward supporting Right-to-Work laws.

TAGS: right to work

Rauner’s proposed bill would give the governor the ability to balance the state’s budget

03/16/2016

In light of the Illinois General Assembly’s refusal to pass a balanced budget, the Unbalanced Budget Response Act is a prudent measure that would temporarily allow the governor to shift funds and reduce spending to balance the state’s budget.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, Illinois Constitution

Rauner: Madigan not ‘doing his job’

By Mark Fitton

03/09/2016

More than two-thirds of fiscal year 2016 has passed with the state lacking an overall budget.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Mike Madigan

Democratic Party

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

61% of Illinois voters support Right to Work, poll finds

Rauner’s proposed bill would give the governor the ability to balance the state’s budget

Rauner: Madigan not ‘doing his job’

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