In the wake of George Floyd’s death, Springfield has essential work to do

By Austin Berg

06/05/2020

Illinois lawmakers cannot afford to delay action in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

TAGS: BLM: Black Lives Matter, criminal justice reform, Curtis Tarver, Don Harmon, George Floyd, JB Pritzker, Justin Slaughter, Kam Buckner, labor, Lamont Robinson, Maurice West, Mike Madigan, police, police misconduct

Why Illinois state lawmakers are still in line for an $1,800 pay raise

By Austin Berg

05/28/2020

Illinois lawmakers are still likely to receive a $1,800 pay raise. But some have tried their best to make no waves by giving themselves cover from backlash.

TAGS: lawmaker pay

Illinois budget includes automatic $1,800 pay raise for state lawmakers

By Austin Berg

05/22/2020

With more than 1.1 million Illinoisans out of work, some of the highest-paid state lawmakers in the nation are in line for a raise – though some are fighting back.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, lawmaker pay

Illinois lawmakers offer voters a tax hike, let deadline pass for constitutional reforms

05/05/2020

Only Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s progressive income tax amendment will appear on the ballot in November. Voters were denied a chance to make critical reforms to state government.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, debt, fair maps, pensions, progressive income tax, spending cap, term limits

Illinois politicians have been banking on a bailout for years. Don’t give it to them.

By Austin Berg

05/01/2020

Gov. J.B. Pritzker, House Speaker Mike Madigan and other Illinois leaders were banking on a federal bailout long before COVID-19. How else can one explain their recklessness?

TAGS: bailout, coronavirus, COVID-19, Don Harmon, Donald Trump, Jason Plummer, JB Pritzker, Mike Madigan

Illinois judge rules against Pritzker’s extension of stay-at-home order

By Joe Tabor

04/27/2020

The judge said Pritzker’s executive orders “shredded the constitution,” highlighting the need for the Illinois General Assembly to play a role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, JB Pritzker, stay at home order

Patronage hires lead to federal oversight of Cook County Clerk’s office

04/22/2020

An illegal patronage operation brought on federal oversight when Karen Yarbrough was Cook County’s recorder of deeds. It’s happened again to her as county clerk.

TAGS: Cook County Clerk, corruption, ethics violation, Mike Madigan, patronage

Chinatown developer who recorded Madigan, Solis charged with fraud

03/18/2020

The developer’s recordings helped federal investigators charge Chicago Ald. Ed Burke and deepened the investigation into Illinois state corruption.

TAGS: corruption, Danny Solis, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal investigation, fraud, Mike Madigan

Bill would lift ban on out-of-state wine delivery

03/17/2020

Illinois’ strict regulations on wine shipments deprive residents of choice and the state of critical tax revenue. The anti-competitive law may be unconstitutional.

TAGS: competition, consumer choice, cronyism, National Association of Wine Retailers, Sara Feignholtz, three-tier system, Wine & Spirits Distributors of Illinois

Records involving Madigan sought by federal probe into southwest Chicago suburb

By Brad Weisenstein

02/21/2020

Federal investigators are seeking records from a small village near Chicago. The subpoena names Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, his political lieutenants and former ComEd lobbyists.

TAGS: Chicago, Commonwealth Edison, conflict of interest, corruption, ethics, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal investigation, IRS: Internal Revenue Service, Kevin Quinn, Marty Quinn, Michael McClain, Mike Madigan, red light cameras, revolving door, Timothy Mapes

Michael Madigan

In the wake of George Floyd’s death, Springfield has essential work to do

Why Illinois state lawmakers are still in line for an $1,800 pay raise

Illinois budget includes automatic $1,800 pay raise for state lawmakers

Illinois lawmakers offer voters a tax hike, let deadline pass for constitutional reforms

Illinois politicians have been banking on a bailout for years. Don’t give it to them.

Illinois judge rules against Pritzker’s extension of stay-at-home order

Patronage hires lead to federal oversight of Cook County Clerk’s office

Chinatown developer who recorded Madigan, Solis charged with fraud

Bill would lift ban on out-of-state wine delivery

Records involving Madigan sought by federal probe into southwest Chicago suburb

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