Illinois lawmakers-turned-lobbyists become big barrier to work

By Larry Han

07/18/2024

Lawmaker to lobbyist is a well-worn path at the Illinois Statehouse. But the new job of some former state lawmakers is to get their former colleagues to make it harder for their former constituents to work.

Illinois leaders who pushed pro-union amendment thwart their own staffers

By Dylan Sharkey

05/22/2024

Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch and Illinois Senate President Don Harmon are taking heat from staffers for killing legislation allowing the workers to unionize. Statehouse leaders are big on union rights, as long as it’s not in their offices.

Illinois lawmakers plan to ban some food ingredients

By Dylan Sharkey

05/17/2024

The Illinois Senate approved legislation banning four food additives, sending it to the House. Manufacturers will need to sell an alternate recipe in Illinois if the bill becomes law.

Bill would give Illinois voters power to change how state is run

By Dylan Sharkey

02/15/2024

Illinois lawmakers will consider expanding the power for citizens to amend the Illinois Constitution through petitions, including for issues such as term limits and to end gerrymandering.

TAGS: Illinois Constitution

Illinois lawmakers adjourn without saving school choice, but fight will continue

By Brad Weisenstein

11/09/2023

Illinois’ Invest in Kids school choice program for over 9,600 low-income students will end at the close of 2023. But supporters vow to resurrect it during the upcoming legislative session.

TAGS: Chicago Teachers Union, Invest in Kids, school choice

Students at Illinois capitol to demand last-minute scholarship rescue

By Jess Plowman

10/25/2023

Hundreds of students and school choice advocates were at the Illinois House chambers to let state representatives know they expect them to save the Invest in Kids Act for low-income students.

TAGS: Illinois House of Representatives, Invest in Kids, school choice

Government union power unleashed on Illinois House speaker

By Mailee Smith

09/14/2023

Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch – who supported an Illinois constitutional amendment granting government unions unprecedented power – is reportedly refusing to meet with a union seeking to represent his own staff.

TAGS: Chris Welch

Former Madigan chief of staff found guilty on perjury charges

By Dylan Sharkey

08/24/2023

Tim Mapes, former chief of staff to ousted Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, was convicted on perjury and obstruction of justice charges.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, Tim Mapes

What you need to know about picking all those Chicago School Board members

By Joe Tabor

05/23/2023

Chicago revealed proposed district maps for the 2024 school board election that have drawn plenty of criticism. Here’s what you need to know about how, when and from where those 21 members will be picked.

ComEd 4 trial shows why fixing Illinois House Rules vital to stop next Madigan

By Joe Tabor

03/31/2023

The ComEd 4 corruption trial proves concentrated power breeds corruption. The fix? Reform the rules former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan crafted to concentrate all that power.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Illinois House of Representatives

Illinois lawmakers-turned-lobbyists become big barrier to work

Illinois leaders who pushed pro-union amendment thwart their own staffers

Illinois lawmakers plan to ban some food ingredients

Bill would give Illinois voters power to change how state is run

Illinois lawmakers adjourn without saving school choice, but fight will continue

Students at Illinois capitol to demand last-minute scholarship rescue

Government union power unleashed on Illinois House speaker

Former Madigan chief of staff found guilty on perjury charges

What you need to know about picking all those Chicago School Board members

ComEd 4 trial shows why fixing Illinois House Rules vital to stop next Madigan

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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