The cost of Illinois’ lawmakers

By John Klingner, Ted Dabrowski

07/26/2016

Illinois lawmakers pay themselves the fifth-highest annual lawmaker base salary in the country.

Madigan’s map: Cook County judge blocks redistricting reform efforts

By Austin Berg

07/20/2016

A longtime associate of House Speaker Mike Madigan is working to silence Illinois voters on the subject of political mapmaking.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, fair maps, Mike Madigan

Illinoisans suffer, politicians get paid

By Austin Berg

07/17/2016

Illinois lawmakers earn base salaries of nearly $68,000 for what is essentially part-time work.

TAGS: budget, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, John Cullerton, Kim Lightford, lawmaker pay, Mike Madigan, Pat Quinn

Munger: Illinois’ unpaid bills projected to hit $10 billion by year’s end

07/16/2016

The Illinois comptroller warns Illinois' backlog of unpaid bills will reach $10 billion by December.

TAGS: budget, debt, Leslie Munger, unpaid bills

Meet the politicians who stand to get rich off of Chicago’s massive property-tax hike

By Austin Berg

07/09/2016

More scrutiny from property owners means more money in the pockets of certain members of Illinois’ political elite, including House Speaker Mike Madigan.

Illinois’ AFSCME contract needs a reality check

By Austin Berg

07/07/2016

AFSCME is demanding pay hikes, better health care coverage and pension benefits over a new, four-year contract, which would cost state taxpayers $3 billion more than what the state is offering.

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

Madigan’s plan: Reduce wages and standard of living for Illinois’ middle class

By Michael Lucci

07/07/2016

Madigan’s stated concern for the middle class rings hollow given that his own plan to boost the state’s fiscal health consists solely of income-tax increases, which would directly reduce the wages and standard of living for Illinoisans.

TAGS: income tax, jobs, Mike Madigan, taxes

Corruption Watch

07/05/2016

Headlines in June show why Chicago is considered one of the most corrupt cities in the world.

TAGS: corruption, good government, transparency

Gov. Bruce Rauner signs stopgap budget

By Hilary Gowins

06/30/2016

The stopgap budget compromise reached between the General Assembly and Gov. Bruce Rauner will fund government operations for the next six months and ensure that schools open on time in the fall.

5 reasons why Illinois politicians should reject a Chicago Public Schools bailout

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

06/28/2016

Until CPS passes necessary spending and pension reforms, giving any additional money to the system will only reward officials’ mismanagement and reckless behavior.

TAGS: budget, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, education, Mike Madigan, municipal pensions, pensions, Rahm Emanuel

Michael Madigan

The cost of Illinois’ lawmakers

Madigan’s map: Cook County judge blocks redistricting reform efforts

Illinoisans suffer, politicians get paid

Munger: Illinois’ unpaid bills projected to hit $10 billion by year’s end

Meet the politicians who stand to get rich off of Chicago’s massive property-tax hike

Illinois’ AFSCME contract needs a reality check

Madigan’s plan: Reduce wages and standard of living for Illinois’ middle class

Corruption Watch

Gov. Bruce Rauner signs stopgap budget

5 reasons why Illinois politicians should reject a Chicago Public Schools bailout

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