Government unions, your property tax bill and the power of giving

By Austin Berg

12/14/2017

Balancing the scales at the bargaining table is an essential step in fixing the property tax problem.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, collective bargaining, property taxes, strike

Uber, food trucks and Airbnb: Chicago’s 3 biggest over-regulation stories from 2016

By Chris Lentino

12/27/2016

It’s no secret Chicago aldermen aren’t friendly to outsider businesses and innovative industries. Here’s a look at some of the most egregious examples from 2016.

TAGS: Airbnb, Chicago, collaborative economy, food trucks, homesharing, regulations, Uber

Chicago politicians angry over losing World Series ticket perk

10/26/2016

A new ethics ruling prohibits aldermen from getting World Series tickets at face value — a perk not afforded to most of the public.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago Cubs, good government

Illinois corruption watch: February 2016

03/07/2016

Illinoisans’ confidence in their state government is the lowest of residents of any state in the nation, and corruption stories from February 2016 don’t help.

Illinois corruption watch: January 2016

02/12/2016

In January several instances of corruption, influence peddling and mismanagement across Illinois were brought to light, from the College of DuPage’s expense-account mismanagement, to Chicago’s red-light-camera bribery case.

Chicago City Council passes weakened oversight ordinance at Burke’s bidding

By Austin Berg

02/11/2016

Chicago aldermen voted in favor of an ordinance that was changed to shield City Council from the auditing powers of Inspector General Joe Ferguson.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption

Chicago aldermen look to kneecap oversight in City Council vote

By Austin Berg

02/05/2016

Aldermen say they want oversight, but they don’t want anyone to be able to audit them. What do they have to hide?

TAGS: Chicago, Ed Burke

Chicago cops retire to dodge punishment, collect 6-figure pensions

By Austin Berg

02/04/2016

Since Chicago officials received a city watchdog investigation recommending six officers be disciplined for their roles surrounding the killing of David Koschman by a nephew of former Mayor Richard M. Daley, three have retired.

TAGS: Chicago, CPD: Chicago Police Department, criminal justice reform, pensions

Oversight of Chicago City Council coming soon

By Chris Lentino

01/19/2016

At its next meeting in February, City Council will likely approve legislation to expand the scope of the inspector general’s role to overseeing aldermen.

TAGS: Chicago

FBI seizes files as Chicago aldermen oust oversight

By Austin Berg

11/17/2015

Chicago aldermen are now operating without a city watchdog.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption

Joe Ferguson

Government unions, your property tax bill and the power of giving

Uber, food trucks and Airbnb: Chicago’s 3 biggest over-regulation stories from 2016

Chicago politicians angry over losing World Series ticket perk

Illinois corruption watch: February 2016

Illinois corruption watch: January 2016

Chicago City Council passes weakened oversight ordinance at Burke’s bidding

Chicago aldermen look to kneecap oversight in City Council vote

Chicago cops retire to dodge punishment, collect 6-figure pensions

Oversight of Chicago City Council coming soon

FBI seizes files as Chicago aldermen oust oversight

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