Lawmakers should look outside of Springfield when choosing a fiscal watchdog

By Joe Tabor

05/29/2025

Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino is retiring after a 10-year term of monitoring public spending. The scrutiny his own campaign spending drew should have lawmakers rethink how they choose his replacement.

Illinois’ opaque budget process drives mismanagement, harms taxpayers

By Lauren Zuar

05/23/2025

Despite Illinois law setting clear budget rules, lawmakers routinely fast-track last-minute, backroom deals, keeping voters and other legislators in the dark.

Illinois lawmakers get 26 seconds per page to read 2025 budget

By Patrick Andriesen

05/20/2025

Illinois state lawmakers must be super speed readers, because who would vote on something they hadn’t read? They were given an average of 67 seconds per page to read the past nine state budgets, but last year received only 26 seconds per page.

Top Illinois pensioners invest $1, get $25 back in retirement benefits

By Patrick Andriesen

04/28/2025

Illinois’ top 50 state pensioners can expect an average lifetime payout of $8.47 million despite just $333,844 being contributed during their careers. That’s $1 in, $25 out, thanks to taxpayers.

Illinois townships vote to fix pensions, gerrymandering and unfunded mandates

By Dylan Sharkey

04/02/2025

Illinois townships are sounding the alarm on the state’s biggest issues. Eight townships voted in support of state lawmakers fixing the state’s pensions crisis, gerrymandering and unfunded mandates.

Lemont Township residents’ $22 million pension crisis on April 1 ballot

By Bryce Hill

03/21/2025

A local referendum would tell state lawmakers how Lemont Township voters would like to fix $22 million in pension debt for which they are responsible. Pension reform is the surest way to provide property tax relief.

TAGS: Lemont Township

Palos Township’s $83M pension crisis on the ballot

By Bryce Hill

03/21/2025

A local referendum would tell state lawmakers how Palos Township voters would like to fix $83 million in pension debt for which they are responsible. Pension reform is the surest way to provide property tax relief.

TAGS: Palos Township

Winfield Township $50 million pension crisis on April 1 ballot

By Bryce Hill

03/21/2025

A local referendum would tell state lawmakers how Winfield Township voters would like to fix a nearly $50 million in pension debt for which they are responsible. Pension reform is the surest way to provide property tax relief.

Homer Township’s $7M pension crisis on April 1 ballot

By Bryce Hill

03/21/2025

A local referendum would tell state lawmakers how Homer Township voters would like to fix $7 million in pension debt for which they are responsible. Pension reform is the surest way to provide property tax relief.

TAGS: Homer Township

5 bills to push back against Illinois’ culture of political corruption

By Joe Tabor

03/13/2025

Legislation in the Illinois House would empower inspectors general, restrict lobbying by elected leaders, add protections against conflicts of interest and end last-minute amendments to legislation.

TAGS: corruption, Mike Madigan

Illinois Supreme Court

Lawmakers should look outside of Springfield when choosing a fiscal watchdog

Illinois’ opaque budget process drives mismanagement, harms taxpayers

Illinois lawmakers get 26 seconds per page to read 2025 budget

Top Illinois pensioners invest $1, get $25 back in retirement benefits

Illinois townships vote to fix pensions, gerrymandering and unfunded mandates

Lemont Township residents’ $22 million pension crisis on April 1 ballot

Palos Township’s $83M pension crisis on the ballot

Winfield Township $50 million pension crisis on April 1 ballot

Homer Township’s $7M pension crisis on April 1 ballot

5 bills to push back against Illinois’ culture of political corruption

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