Former Illinois Senate president returns to lobby for utility on energy bill

By Brad Weisenstein

06/09/2021

The former president of the Illinois Senate is now a lobbyist for a power utility. Illinois needs stronger rules on when their peers can return to sway state lawmakers.

TAGS: John Cullerton, lobbying, revolving door

Pritzker OKs gerrymandered maps, breaking promise to end partisan games

By Joe Tabor

06/05/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Democrats’ partisan legislative and judicial redistricting plans. He had repeatedly promised to veto any maps drawn by state lawmakers for their own benefit.

TAGS: corruption, fair maps, gerrymandering, JB Pritzker

Illinois lawmakers give themselves $1,200 raise, double office budgets

By Adam Schuster

06/04/2021

The fiscal year 2022 budget includes pay hikes for members of the Illinois General Assembly, who were already among the nation’s highest-paid state lawmakers. It also boosts office allowances and leader stipends.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay

Pritzker declares disaster for 16th time despite June 11 reopening prediction

By Patrick Andriesen

06/01/2021

Illinois could fully reopen by June 11, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker decided the state was still a disaster zone and he needed emergency powers until the end of June.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, executive order, JB Pritzker

Federal COVID-19 relief going to Illinois debt rather than business relief

By Adam Schuster

05/27/2021

Pritzker borrowed during the pandemic rather than making responsible budget decisions. So Illinois’ federal relief must repay debt rather than helping businesses recover like other states.

TAGS: COVID-19, debt, JB Pritzker

Budget, ethics bills again kept secret before last-minute votes, Madigan style

By Justin Carlson

05/27/2021

Illinois politicians used Madigan’s teachings – avoid messy democracy and disenfranchise taxpayers – by again waiting until the last minute to pass major legislation. Good things rarely grow in the dark.

TAGS: budget, Illinois, Springfield

Year after George Floyd’s death, police contracts stop Illinois reform

By Mailee Smith

05/25/2021

It has been a year since George Floyd died beneath a Minneapolis police officer’s knee, setting off riots in Chicago and protests across Illinois. Lawmakers vowed reforms, but nothing will change as long as police contracts overpower state law.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, George Floyd, Illinois, police union

Illinois takes aim at private schools with new bill

By Amy Korte

05/25/2021

An amendment to Illinois House Bill 2789 could result in a flurry of complaints against private and public schools for alleged violations of COVID-19 protocols, provides harsh penalties, including punishing teachers, and expands state authority over private schools.

TAGS: COVID-19, Illinois, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, private schools, teachers union

All Illinois metro areas see populations drop in 2020

By Bryce Hill

05/20/2021

Each of Illinois’ metropolitan areas got smaller from July 2019-July 2020, census estimates showed.

TAGS: Illinois, outmigration, population, U.S. Census Bureau

Bill would allow Chicago Public Schools principals to go on strike

By Mailee Smith

05/17/2021

A bill that passed the Illinois House and is now in the Senate would allow Chicago principals to unionize and strike, creating an even more unstable environment for the city’s school children.

TAGS: public schools, strike, teachers union

Illinois General Assembly

Former Illinois Senate president returns to lobby for utility on energy bill

Pritzker OKs gerrymandered maps, breaking promise to end partisan games

Illinois lawmakers give themselves $1,200 raise, double office budgets

Pritzker declares disaster for 16th time despite June 11 reopening prediction

Federal COVID-19 relief going to Illinois debt rather than business relief

Budget, ethics bills again kept secret before last-minute votes, Madigan style

Year after George Floyd’s death, police contracts stop Illinois reform

Illinois takes aim at private schools with new bill

All Illinois metro areas see populations drop in 2020

Bill would allow Chicago Public Schools principals to go on strike

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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