By John Klingner
06/27/2014
Chicago Public Schools, or CPS, officials announced yesterday that the district laid off a group of teachers and other staff. Overall, 1,150 school district employees, composed of 550 teachers and 600 clerical support staff, are being let go by the school district. This round of layoffs comes a year after CPS let go a further...
TAGS: Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools
By John Klingner
06/20/2014
State workers, retirees and public-sector unions groups have filed various lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of Senate Bill 1, the state pension reform bill signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn in December 2013. The top pensioner of those suing the state will receive $2.4 million in pension benefits over the course of his retirement. That...
By Brian Costin
06/04/2014
In completing our second month of the new “Illinois Corruption Watch” project, we are shocked at the volume of corruption stories being reported across the state. In just two months we have found reports of 101 different corruption-related stories; 45 in April and 56 in May. It’s no wonder Illinois citizens have by far the...
By Brian Costin
05/30/2014
A key portion of the Institute’s 10-Point Transparency Checklist, the posting of audits online, has made its way through the Illinois General Assembly. House Bill 5503 passed both Illinois House and Senate unanimously, and now awaits the governor’s signature. If signed into law by the governor, HB 5503, introduced by state Rep. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon,...
By Brian Costin
05/22/2014
In the wake of a corruption scandal, the village of Burnham has taken down all public information from its website and placed the site in “Maintenance Mode.” The scandal came about after the village’s former clerk pleaded guilty to stealing more than $700,000 from local taxpayers, and an online transparency inquiry by the Illinois Policy...
By Brian Costin
05/14/2014
When it comes to government corruption, history often repeats itself in Illinois, both in terms of types of corruption and the failure of government to implement policies that could prevent it. Recently, federal authorities charged the village of Burnham’s long-time village clerk, Nancy Dobrowski, with stealing over $650,000 in funds from local taxpayers. Allegedly, Dobrowski...
By Brian Costin
04/30/2014
45. April 30, 2014 Sun-Times: Criminal probe of Quinn anti-violence plan rocks governor’s race A criminal grand jury has launched a probe into Gov. Pat Quinn’s troubled anti-violence program — once likened to “a political slush fund” — delivering a major blow to the Democrat as he seeks re-election this fall. On Tuesday, the Quinn...
By illinoispolicy
01/26/2014
For decades, residents of Illinois have been barraged with a constant stream of public corruption stories in the media. In recent years, these tales include a governor trying to sell a Senate seat, a U.S. Congressman illegally siphoning off campaign funds for personal use, and a record breaking corruption story from the small town of...
By Brian Costin
09/09/2013
Recording and publishing the audio of board meetings is an essential public good. This form of transparency creates an opportunity for the public to be informed about government bodies and elected officials that represent them, and gives the public an important tool to hold government accountable for its actions. Unfortunately, Belvidere Township in Boone County...
By Brian Costin
09/06/2013
On August 27, Gov. Quinn signed into law Senate Bill 923 which allows stop-arm cameras to be installed on school buses statewide. School districts would partner with a municipality or county to install and administer the stop-arm cameras violations. Violations would garner fines of up to $150 for a for a first time violation, and up to...
