Gerrymandering: Madigan’s legacy of letting politicians choose their voters

By Patrick Andriesen

06/13/2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s sentencing to 7.5 years for bribery, conspiracy and wire fraud ends his active role in Illinois politics. But his legacy of gerrymandering will continue to shape Illinois politics long after he’s behind bars.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Who in Springfield still owes Mike Madigan for getting elected?

By Joe Tabor, Jon Josko

06/12/2025

Think former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s influence ended when he resigned or was convicted of bribery? Maybe not. Fifty-seven Illinois General Assembly members who received funds from Madigan’s political committees are still in office.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

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.

Illinois Federation of Teachers spends $46.1M on state politics

By Patrick Andriesen

03/19/2025

The Illinois Federation of Teachers spent $46.1 million on Illinois political committees since 2010. Campaign cash went to nearly three-quarters of sitting lawmakers in the Illinois General Assembly.

TAGS: IFT: Illinois Federation of Teachers

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

Felon Madigan should repay taxpayers nearly $600K for public pension

02/13/2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan was convicted of misusing his public office for his own power and profit. Not only should his public pension be halted, he should repay the nearly $600,000 taxpayers already paid the felon.

TAGS: corruption, Mike Madigan, pensions

Madigan is latest as Illinois averages 1 corruption conviction a week – for 40 years

By Dylan Sharkey

02/12/2025

Corruption in Illinois is on a weekly basis. The state averaged more than one corruption conviction per week from 1983-2023, which marked the start of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s leadership.

TAGS: corruption, madigan

Former Illinois House Speaker Madigan guilty of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud

By Dylan Sharkey

02/12/2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was convicted of using his office to run an illegal enterprise. Madigan was the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history.

TAGS: corruption, Mike Madigan

Madigan collects $158K while facing federal corruption trial in Chicago

By Patrick Andriesen

01/29/2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan collected a pension worth $158,000 in 2024 while facing a federal corruption trial in Chicago. Depending on the verdict, taxpayers could be on the hook for another $1 million to cover his remaining benefits.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, pensions

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

01/28/2025

Published Jan. 28, 2025 Illinois Policy Institute Center for Poverty Solutions, in partnership with the Archbridge Institute By Joshua Bandoch, Ph.D., head of policy, Illinois Policy Institute and Justin Callais, Ph.D., chief economist, Archbridge Institute EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A low-income person’s ability to move up in society is worse in Illinois than in any other Midwestern...

Michael Madigan

Gerrymandering: Madigan’s legacy of letting politicians choose their voters

Who in Springfield still owes Mike Madigan for getting elected?

Illinois lawmakers get 26 seconds per page to read 2025 budget

Illinois Federation of Teachers spends $46.1M on state politics

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

Felon Madigan should repay taxpayers nearly $600K for public pension

Madigan is latest as Illinois averages 1 corruption conviction a week – for 40 years

Former Illinois House Speaker Madigan guilty of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud

Madigan collects $158K while facing federal corruption trial in Chicago

Illinois’ low social mobility: causes and cures

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