Illinois state lawmakers boost their own pay

By Lilly Rossi

01/19/2026

Taxpayers usually get told what raise they will receive. They also get told what raises they will give: to state lawmakers, and by those same lawmakers.

Illinois lawmakers to tackle Chicago Bears stadium, pensions, taxes

By Lilly Rossi

01/13/2026

Expect a progressive tax, higher education spending and a Bears stadium to be high on the agenda for Illinois state lawmakers.

Naughty list includes state lawmakers, county leaders, mayors

By Patrick Andriesen

12/24/2025

The nation’s longest-serving legislative speaker, a state senator and a former Cook County commissioner were on Illinois’ too-long list of corrupt politicians.

11 reasons Illinoisans can be thankful this year

By Lilly Rossi

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, Illinoisans should give thanks for Illinois’ heritage, opportunities, wins against new taxes and educational freedom.

Illinois punishes independents, meaning just 1 got on 2024 ballot

By Patrick Andriesen

11/09/2025

Illinois puts lots of restrictions on independent candidates. Just one got on the 2024 ballot in 155 races.

Madigan’s corruption doesn’t deserve an oil portrait

By Lilly Rossi

11/06/2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption conviction means capturing his likeness in a portrait would be tax dollars poorly spent, one lawmaker says.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Michael Madigan begins prison term

By Dylan Sharkey

10/13/2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s 7.5-year federal prison sentence started Oct. 13 for his role in a bribery scheme involving Commonwealth Edison, Illinois’ largest utility.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

16 missed chances for state lawmakers to help out Illinoisans

By Joe Tabor

07/08/2025

Out of almost 7,000 bills filed, the Illinois General Assembly passed a little over 400. Some were good. Some were bad. Here are 16 bills that would have improved life in the state had they passed.

Illinois lawmakers only attach price tags to 10 of 3,859 bills

By Lilly Rossi

06/23/2025

For most bills filed in Springfield, taxpayers will have to guess at how much more will be demanded of them. Illinois General Assembly members only worried about costs 10 times for 3,859 of their bright ideas about how to improve the state.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, taxes

Illinois General Assembly passes 3 bills boosting government union power

By Mailee Smith

06/23/2025

Government unions already hold tremendous power over taxpayers in Illinois. Three bills heading to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk will give them even more power by violating worker privacy, thwarting taxpayer protections and blocking schools in emergencies.

TAGS: Amendment 1, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, labor

Illinois House of Representatives

Illinois state lawmakers boost their own pay

Illinois lawmakers to tackle Chicago Bears stadium, pensions, taxes

Naughty list includes state lawmakers, county leaders, mayors

11 reasons Illinoisans can be thankful this year

Illinois punishes independents, meaning just 1 got on 2024 ballot

Madigan’s corruption doesn’t deserve an oil portrait

Michael Madigan begins prison term

16 missed chances for state lawmakers to help out Illinoisans

Illinois lawmakers only attach price tags to 10 of 3,859 bills

Illinois General Assembly passes 3 bills boosting government union power

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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