Fact-checking Rahm: Students have been leaving Illinois for at least 15 years

By Madelyn Harwood

03/13/2017

Uncertainty about skyrocketing tuition costs, rising taxes, and other factors are the likeliest culprits of Illinois’ student out-migration crisis.

TAGS: Chicago, education, outmigration, population, Rahm Emanuel

Interest on Illinois’ pension debt is $9.1B per year

By Michael Lucci

03/06/2017

A golden rule of finance is this: Debt that can’t be paid won’t be paid.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, pensions

Former Gov. Edgar’s ‘compromise’ pension plan led to Illinois’ fiscal crisis

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

06/09/2016

Under former Gov. Jim Edgar’s pension ramp, unfunded pension liabilities have increased nearly $100 billion despite taxpayers contributing $16.4 billion more to the five state-run pension systems than required under the Edgar plan.

TAGS: Jim Edgar, pensions

Illinois taxpayers paying for billionaires’ stadiums

06/02/2016

Taxpayers will shell out $36 million for Soldier Field in 2016, in addition to footing the bill for U.S. Cellular Field. And the city of Chicago is still pushing a plan for DePaul University that would cost an initial $55 million for a new basketball stadium.

TAGS: cronyism, tax credits

Branded with a number on my name

By Scott Reeder

04/13/2016

When they let me out of prison, I held my head up high. Determined I would rise above the shame. But no matter where I’m living, the black mark follows me. I’m branded with a number on my name. —Merle Haggard

TAGS: criminal justice reform, reentry

Madigan’s game of thrones

By John Tillman

07/31/2015

Speaker Madigan is playing a political game that focuses on maintaining his power at all costs.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

10 things Illinoisans should know about their state’s criminal-justice system

By Bryant Jackson-Green

03/10/2015

Rife with problems, it’s ripe for change.

TAGS: criminal justice reform

How Illinois’ economic development agency flouts the law in plain sight

By Robert Steere

01/21/2015

The DCEO’s decision to play by its own rules deserves scrutiny not only because of its monetary cost, but because it involves a fiduciary failure symptomatic of governmental disregard for the rule of law. It exemplifies a political culture that must change if Illinois government is to turn the corner and move toward restoration and renewal.

TAGS: DCEO: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy

Medline Industries has received $39.3M in tax credits in last 15 years

By Robert Steere

12/09/2014

A case study on the insider’s game of EDGE tax credits

TAGS: budget, EDGE: Economic Development for a Growing Economy, Medline, tax credits, taxes

Illinois lawmakers want to ban dogs behind the wheel of a car

02/28/2013

Its about time we let those we elect know that we can take care of ourselves.

George Ryan

Fact-checking Rahm: Students have been leaving Illinois for at least 15 years

Interest on Illinois’ pension debt is $9.1B per year

Former Gov. Edgar’s ‘compromise’ pension plan led to Illinois’ fiscal crisis

Illinois taxpayers paying for billionaires’ stadiums

Branded with a number on my name

Madigan’s game of thrones

10 things Illinoisans should know about their state’s criminal-justice system

How Illinois’ economic development agency flouts the law in plain sight

Medline Industries has received $39.3M in tax credits in last 15 years

Illinois lawmakers want to ban dogs behind the wheel of a car

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