Madigan’s economic agenda is not aggressive and it’s not reform

By Michael Lucci

01/12/2017

The newly re-elected House speaker is pushing a new tax on businesses, an increase to the minimum wage and more spending, while doing nothing to address salient problems such as workers’ compensation and pension debt.

TAGS: budget, Mike Madigan

Madigan set to become longest-serving House speaker in modern U.S. history

By Austin Berg

01/11/2017

Chicago Democrat Mike Madigan will hold the speakership for a record 17th time.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Mike Madigan

Illinois politicians should resist the urge to resuscitate failed EDGE tax credit program

By Hilary Gowins

01/08/2017

Illinois’ $1.3 billion in EDGE tax credits has brought in only 34,000 jobs since 2001, and has enabled politicians to hand out tax relief to select companies rather than lowering anti-growth taxes for all businesses.

Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process

By Joe Tabor, Ted Dabrowski

01/04/2017

The little-known legislative rules that govern the legislative process in the Illinois House of Representatives give the House speaker extraordinary power to orchestrate the legislative or political outcomes he or she wants. Those rules allow the speaker to influence the makeup of legislative committees; how lawmakers vote; and when, if ever, the bills get voted...

Our regrettable shrinking state

By Austin Berg

12/30/2016

The U.S. Census Bureau released new migration data Dec. 20, and it’s frightening. Illinois has a massive people problem. From July 2015 to July 2016, the state’s population declined by more than 37,000 people. That’s the worst population loss in the nation, and will likely mean the loss of a seat in the U.S. House...

TAGS: outmigration, population, U.S. Census Bureau

What 2017 brings the Illinois General Assembly: Lame duck and the end of Madigan’s supermajority

By Heather Weiner

12/25/2016

January 2017 will see a new General Assembly, but the lame duck session casts a long shadow over the new legislature.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Mike Madigan

Springfield 2016: Taxpayer, criminal justice victories amid ongoing budget gridlock

By Ari DeWolf

12/25/2016

Although the battle for the budget drags on, there were several important legislative wins for Illinoisans in 2016 including criminal justice reform, averting tax hikes, and stopping Madigan’s agenda in the lame duck session.

All I want for Christmas is a new speaker

By Austin Berg

12/21/2016

If Democrats choose Madigan for the 17th time, he will be crowned the longest-serving House speaker in U.S. history.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

AFSCME’s egomania is betraying its members

By Austin Berg

12/15/2016

AFSCME's demands would cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $3 billion over the course of the contract.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees

AFSCME turns on the Illinois Labor Relations Board

By Mailee Smith

12/14/2016

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, desperate to avoid the implementation of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s contract offer, filed a lawsuit against the Illinois Labor Relations Board, claiming the board violated the Open Meetings Act in reaching its decision that AFSCME and the state are at impasse in contract negotiations. The labor board met Dec. 13 and reissued the decision it announced at its meeting Nov. 15 and in writing Dec. 5 – that the state and AFSCME are at impasse.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, Illinois Labor Relations Board

Michael Madigan

Madigan’s economic agenda is not aggressive and it’s not reform

Madigan set to become longest-serving House speaker in modern U.S. history

Illinois politicians should resist the urge to resuscitate failed EDGE tax credit program

Madigan’s rules: How Illinois gives its House speaker power to manipulate and control the legislative process

Our regrettable shrinking state

What 2017 brings the Illinois General Assembly: Lame duck and the end of Madigan’s supermajority

Springfield 2016: Taxpayer, criminal justice victories amid ongoing budget gridlock

All I want for Christmas is a new speaker

AFSCME’s egomania is betraying its members

AFSCME turns on the Illinois Labor Relations Board

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