Madigan’s budget solution is to make Illinois the most heavily taxed state in the Midwest

By Michael Lucci

01/28/2016

Instead of spending reform and policies to promote economic growth, Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan proposes the same high-taxing, big-spending plans that got Illinois into its current fiscal mess.

TAGS: taxes

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s 2016 State of the State address

By illinoispolicy

01/27/2016

Transcript, provided by Gov. Bruce Rauner’s office, of his 2016 State of the State address, as prepared for delivery, to the General Assembly on January 27, 2016.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, State of the State

West Virginia takes first step toward becoming 26th Right-to-Work state

By Michael Lucci

01/25/2016

West Virginia’s Senate has passed legislation to protect a worker’s right to choose to join a union, or to opt out entirely.

TAGS: right to work

Bankruptcy talk hits Chicago: Illinois governor proposes bankruptcy for Chicago Public Schools

01/22/2016

Gov. Bruce Rauner and Republican state lawmakers have proposed bankruptcy for Chicago Public Schools; Mayor Rahm Emanuel has rejected the idea of bankruptcy, repeating his demand that Illinois taxpayers bail out the struggling school district.

TAGS: bankruptcy, Chicago

Rauner making moves on pension reform

By Ted Dabrowski

01/21/2016

On Jan. 21 Gov. Bruce Rauner reignited reform talks surrounding Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation pension crisis.

TAGS: pensions

Illinois’ budget from the inside: A conversation with State Budget Director Tim Nuding

By Donna Arduin

01/13/2016

Donna Arduin is an Illinois Policy Institute senior fellow and a partner at Arduin, Laffer & Moore Econometrics, a group that advises federal, state and municipal leaders, as well as political candidates and private-sector clients, on economic, fiscal and state policies.

TAGS: budget

Madigan skips meeting with leaders, governor

By Mark Fitton

12/18/2015

Illinois has gone without a comprehensive budget for six months.

Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2015

12/14/2015

November saw Chicago’s City Council let the term of the legislative inspector general, who is tasked with overseeing City Council, expire without hiring a replacement, as well as several other instances of breach of public trust and influence peddling around the state.

TAGS: corruption

Unemployment bill easily clears Illinois House

By Mark Fitton

12/02/2015

House Bill 1285 also clarifies the definitions of employee misconduct allowing for denial of benefits.

TAGS: unemployment

Busting the Springfield power monopoly: Madigan, Dunkin and why Illinois needs term limits

By Jim Long

11/24/2015

The defiance of certain Democrats in the General Assembly shows House Speaker Mike Madigan’s stranglehold on power is weakening.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, term limits

Democratic Party

Madigan’s budget solution is to make Illinois the most heavily taxed state in the Midwest

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s 2016 State of the State address

West Virginia takes first step toward becoming 26th Right-to-Work state

Bankruptcy talk hits Chicago: Illinois governor proposes bankruptcy for Chicago Public Schools

Rauner making moves on pension reform

Illinois’ budget from the inside: A conversation with State Budget Director Tim Nuding

Madigan skips meeting with leaders, governor

Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2015

Unemployment bill easily clears Illinois House

Busting the Springfield power monopoly: Madigan, Dunkin and why Illinois needs term limits

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