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...

Amendment would allow Illinoisans to recall state leaders, local politicians

By Dylan Sharkey

01/22/2025

Illinoisans would have the chance to recall state and local politicians under a proposal in Springfield.

TAGS: corruption, Mike Madigan

Madigan tops naughty list of Illinois’ federal corruption targets in 2024

By Patrick Andriesen

12/24/2024

The nation’s longest-serving legislative speaker, a woman who called herself “super mayor” and a collection of other self-serving public servants are among the highest-profile corruption cases in decades. Here’s the naughty list for 2024.

TAGS: corruption

Report: Chicago Teachers Union is new Chicago political machine

By Mailee Smith

09/25/2024

Years of exorbitant political spending in Illinois – more than $24.3 million since 2010 – has secured an enormous amount of political influence for the Chicago Teachers Union. It is now the main political player not just in Chicago, but across the state.

Illinois government workers’ union dues being diverted to swing-state politics

By Mailee Smith

09/19/2024

Illinois government workers’ union dues fund Democratic Party campaign committees, which are now seeking to tip the presidential election outcome in swing states. That fails to align with at least 40% of members’ politics.

TAGS: SEIU: Service Employees International Union

Editorial: State lawmakers in Springfield pass bill to cut off competition in 78 races

By Hilary Gowins

05/06/2024

Why did SB 2412 need to pass on May 2, in the middle of the election cycle, weeks after the primary election but still well ahead of the November general election? Many candidates had already started the complicated process of petition gathering and paperwork under the old rules. What justifies changing those rules in the middle of the game?

TAGS: election laws

Illinois’ political corruption keeps people down

By Joe Tabor

03/01/2024

Public corruption is one of the factors hampering social mobility in Illinois, according to a recent report.

Michael Madigan

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

Amendment would allow Illinoisans to recall state leaders, local politicians

Madigan tops naughty list of Illinois’ federal corruption targets in 2024

Report: Chicago Teachers Union is new Chicago political machine

Illinois government workers’ union dues being diverted to swing-state politics

Editorial: State lawmakers in Springfield pass bill to cut off competition in 78 races

Illinois’ political corruption keeps people down

4 ways to break out of Illinois’ pension trap

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