Former East St. Louis township officials diverted nearly $1M in youth program funds

By Vincent Caruso

03/30/2018

Two township administrators took state grant funds intended for a summer youth program to cover up for illegal credit card purchases.

TAGS: corruption, East St. Louis, St. Clair County, townships

Outmigration fuels Madison, St. Clair County population dips in 2017

03/25/2018

Madison and St. Clair counties both saw their populations decline from July 2016 to July 2017, thanks to outmigration – a problem the counties have been dealing with for years.

TAGS: Madison County, outmigration, population, spending, spending cap, St. Clair County

Metro East taxpayers struggle to keep up with state spending

By Vincent Caruso

02/20/2018

Residents in Madison and St. Clair counties find themselves fleeced by lawmakers' failure to control state finances.

TAGS: Madison County, Metro East, spending, spending cap, St. Clair County

Downstate superintendent is called to resign, receives bonus

By Brendan Bakala

10/24/2017

Nashville Community High School District 99’s superintendent received a $63,540 bonus after retiring amid a backlash caused by a controversial column in a local newspaper.

TAGS: pensions

Chicago Public Schools bailout threatens 20 Metro East schools from opening on time

By Eric Kohn

07/28/2017

Twenty school districts in the Metro East rely on the state for 30 percent or more of their total revenue.

TAGS: budget, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, education, Senate Bill 1

Metro East median property taxes rank in the top 50 highest in Illinois

By Eric Kohn

05/11/2017

High property taxes in the Metro East region are fueling out-migration from the area.

TAGS: Metro East, outmigration, population, property taxes

While Metro East residents struggle, local lawmakers continue to get paid over 2-week spring break

By Hilary Gowins

04/13/2017

Local state Reps. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, and Daniel Beiser, D-Alton, are still getting paid even though the state still does not have a balanced budget.

Belleville District 201 board approves 5 administrator salaries over $100k

By Eric Kohn

04/13/2017

Though the median household income in Belleville is only $43,318, Belleville Township School District 201’s top administrators are making six-figure salaries.

TAGS: Andrea Gannon, Belleville, Belleville Township School District 201, Brian Mentzer, education, Jeff Dosier, Melissa Taylor, Metro East, property taxes, Rich Mertens, St. Clair County, TIF: Tax Increment Financing

The shrinking Metro East

By Brendan Bakala

04/10/2017

St. Clair and Madison counties saw combined population losses of more than 1,600 people due to out-migration to other states.

TAGS: Madison County, Metro East, Missouri, Monroe County, outmigration, population, St. Clair County, St. Louis, U.S. Census Bureau

2016 Corruption Watch: Chicago, East St. Louis take top corruption spots

12/29/2016

This year was full of corruption and mismanagement from public officials, but four instances in particular stand out.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, East St. Louis, good government

Metro East

Former East St. Louis township officials diverted nearly $1M in youth program funds

Outmigration fuels Madison, St. Clair County population dips in 2017

Metro East taxpayers struggle to keep up with state spending

Downstate superintendent is called to resign, receives bonus

Chicago Public Schools bailout threatens 20 Metro East schools from opening on time

Metro East median property taxes rank in the top 50 highest in Illinois

While Metro East residents struggle, local lawmakers continue to get paid over 2-week spring break

Belleville District 201 board approves 5 administrator salaries over $100k

The shrinking Metro East

2016 Corruption Watch: Chicago, East St. Louis take top corruption spots

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