Illinois bill would slow transition from lawmaker to lobbyist

By Joe Tabor

11/26/2019

Most states require a wait before lawmakers become lobbyists. Recent federal probes point out the need for Illinois to do the same.

TAGS: cooling off period, corruption, Florida, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Kansas, lawmakers, lobbying, Michigan, revolving door, Springfield

Federal agents looking for Madigan documents in ComEd probe

By Austin Berg

10/24/2019

As previously undisclosed subpoena adds another angle to federal agents’ activity surrounding the longtime House speaker and chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

TAGS: City Club of Chicago, ComEd, corruption, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jay Doherty, JB Pritzker, Kevin Quinn, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

Illinois one of 11 states that lets departing lawmakers immediately become lobbyists

08/13/2019

“Revolving door” laws are intended to stop state lawmakers from getting private jobs after granting political favors. Illinois is one of the few states that does little to curb the practice.

TAGS: JB Pritzker, Lisa Madigan, lobbying, Lori Lightfoot, revolving door

Home alone: Unattended 13-year-old? Police can arrest the parents in Illinois

By Vincent Caruso, Jeffrey Schwab

12/19/2018

Illinois’ law mandating a minimum age for leaving children home alone is the most restrictive in the nation. That should change.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, DCFS: Department of Children and Family Services, overcriminalization

Settlement deal helps prevent parents’ nightmares from coming true

By Austin Berg

07/26/2018

Vague, arbitrary and overly protective rules, like we see often in Illinois, don’t do anyone any favors.

TAGS: DCFS: Department of Children and Family Services, nanny state

Leave your 13-year-old home alone? Police can take her into custody under Illinois law

By Jeffrey Schwab

05/20/2018

Illinois’ law mandating a minimum age for leaving children home alone is the strictest of its kind in the nation.

TAGS: DCFS: Department of Children and Family Services, home alone, regulations

How to mislead Illinoisans into accepting higher taxes

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

05/03/2018

A new report would have Illinoisans believe that a progressive income tax means tax cuts and economic growth. Illinois lawmakers’ tax-and-spend tendencies and evidence from all 50 states say otherwise.

TAGS: CTBA: Center for Budget and Tax Accountability, deficit, GDP: gross domestic product, graduated income tax, income tax, jobs, progressive income tax, Ralph Martire, spending, spending cap, taxes

Building fairness and opportunity: The effects of repealing Illinois’ prevailing wage law

By Orphe Divounguy

12/07/2017

Illinois’ Prevailing Wage Act has no place in the 21st century. Policymakers should enact fair and competitive construction laws that give all individuals who are willing to work a fighting chance.

Illinois has highest combined sales tax burden in Midwest, seventh-highest in U.S.

By Brendan Bakala

02/02/2017

Illinois politicians burden the state’s residents with the highest combined state and average local sales tax rate in the Midwest, along with numerous other taxes and fees.

TAGS: sales tax, taxes

How Illinois can turn its Medicaid program into a true safety net

01/24/2017

Illinois should roll back the state’s Obamacare Medicaid expansion and institute work requirements to save Medicaid for truly needy Illinoisans.

TAGS: ACA: Affordable Care Act, budget, health care, Medicaid

Kansas

Illinois bill would slow transition from lawmaker to lobbyist

Federal agents looking for Madigan documents in ComEd probe

Illinois one of 11 states that lets departing lawmakers immediately become lobbyists

Home alone: Unattended 13-year-old? Police can arrest the parents in Illinois

Settlement deal helps prevent parents’ nightmares from coming true

Leave your 13-year-old home alone? Police can take her into custody under Illinois law

How to mislead Illinoisans into accepting higher taxes

Building fairness and opportunity: The effects of repealing Illinois’ prevailing wage law

Illinois has highest combined sales tax burden in Midwest, seventh-highest in U.S.

How Illinois can turn its Medicaid program into a true safety net

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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