Baker & Taylor library supplier closing, laying off 318

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

11/10/2025

A major library supplier formerly employing 1,500 will cease operations at the end of the year, laying off 318 workers in October at its Momence distribution center.

TAGS: jobs, unemployment

SAFE-T Act’s end to cash bail paused by Illinois Supreme Court

By Patrick Andriesen

01/02/2023

The Illinois Supreme Court stayed a provision of the SAFE-T Act set to take effect Jan. 1 that would have eliminated cash bail statewide after a county judge ruled it would violate the state constitution. The high court said it planned an “expedited” review.

TAGS: SAFE-T Act

Pritzker signs SAFE-T Act trailer amendment with 5 reforms

By Patrick Andriesen

12/08/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the fourth trailer amendment to the SAFE-T Act Dec. 6. Experts predict the changes will not stop a constitutional challenge from 62 state’s attorneys.

TAGS: SAFE-T Act

Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions may return to parts of Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

04/19/2021

COVID-19 cases are again on the rise. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker may again impose restrictions on parts of the state.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, JB Pritzker, reopen, restrictions

Illinois school district drops controversial eavesdropping case against former student

By Austin Berg

11/15/2018

Prosecution lawyers for an Illinois school district have decided not to move forward with their case against Paul Boron, who was charged with felony eavesdropping at age 13 for recording audio of a meeting with his middle school principal.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, eavesdropping, Paul Boron

Illinois 13-year-old charged with eavesdropping felony for recording meeting with principal

By Austin Berg

06/21/2018

Illinois’ eavesdropping law is one of the nation’s most severe, but leaves ample room for ambiguity.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, eavesdropping

Equal plant closure in Kankakee County

By Brendan Bakala

10/06/2016

The artificial sweetener manufacturer will lay off 89 workers and move out of state.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, unemployment, workers compensation

Illinois Corruption Watch: October 2015

11/04/2015

October saw a former Chicago Public Schools CEO plead guilty to wire fraud and several other instances of criminal charges and civil lawsuits against public officials, as well as crony deals between businesses and government.

TAGS: corruption

Illinois Corruption Watch, October 2014

By Brian Costin

11/01/2014

In October, we found 52 different stories of potential public corruption in Illinois, including a trio of stories related to the election. An Illinois Policy investigation into emails from a group of Kankakee County superintendents revealed potentially illegal activities to pass a countywide sales-tax hike for school facilities. Documents obtained suggest illegal actions by superintendents...

TAGS: good government, waste

Kankakee County superintendents behaving badly

By Brian Costin, Shawn Tonge

10/30/2014

It’s perfectly legal for people working for local government to engage in politics on their own free time, but if they are using taxpayer resources or facilities for political campaigns it can be a criminal act. A Freedom of Information Act investigation conducted by the Illinois Policy Institute has revealed potentially illegal activities being conducted...

TAGS: corruption, cronyism, Stifel Nicolaus & Co.

Kankakee County

Baker & Taylor library supplier closing, laying off 318

SAFE-T Act’s end to cash bail paused by Illinois Supreme Court

Pritzker signs SAFE-T Act trailer amendment with 5 reforms

Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions may return to parts of Illinois

Illinois school district drops controversial eavesdropping case against former student

Illinois 13-year-old charged with eavesdropping felony for recording meeting with principal

Equal plant closure in Kankakee County

Illinois Corruption Watch: October 2015

Illinois Corruption Watch, October 2014

Kankakee County superintendents behaving badly

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