May Corruption Watch

06/03/2016

May’s corruption headlines show the steep cost nontransparent government can have on taxpayers.

State rep. seeks revote on veto override of binding arbitration bill

By Lori Browning

05/31/2016

The Illinois House will attempt a fifth vote on an AFSCME arbitration bill designed to remove Gov. Bruce Rauner from the collective bargaining process.

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

Why Gov. Rauner should sign marijuana decriminalization into law

By Bryant Jackson-Green

05/27/2016

Imposing civil fines instead of criminal penalties for marijuana possession is a smart first step toward changing how the state deals with low-level, nonviolent crimes.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, decriminalization, marijuana

Madigan’s unbalanced budget overspends by $7 billion

By Craig Lesner, Ted Dabrowski

05/26/2016

llinois Comptroller Leslie Munger said Speaker Madigan's budget proposal would increase the state's unpaid bills to $15 billion and cause eight to nine month payment delays for vendors.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, budget

92% percent of Illinoisans support criminal-justice reform, poll finds

By Bryant Jackson-Green

05/20/2016

A recent survey of Illinois voters by the U.S. Justice Action Network shows vast popular support for criminal-justice reform.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, mandatory minimums, reentry, sentencing reform

All tax hikes, no reform: Illinois politicians should reject ‘budgeteer’ budget plan

By Craig Lesner

05/18/2016

Instead of talking about the necessary, structural reforms to help the state, a collection of Illinois lawmakers want to ask taxpayers to give more to continue irresponsible policies.

TAGS: budget

Madigan lawyer sues to block fair-map amendment

By Austin Berg

05/12/2016

In Illinois, politicians pick their voters.

TAGS: fair maps, gerrymandering, Mike Madigan

Illinois House votes down statewide property-tax freeze, passes plan that exempts vast majority of communities

By Hilary Gowins

04/21/2016

The Illinois House of Representatives voted against a proposal to freeze property taxes, denying much-needed relief to Illinoisans, who bear the third-highest property-tax burden in the nation.

TAGS: property taxes

Madigan’s ‘millionaire tax’ fails in House

By Hilary Gowins

04/20/2016

The House speaker’s proposal to hike taxes on small businesses failed to garner the 71 necessary “yes” votes needed to pass out of the House on April 20.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, millionaire tax

Illinois corruption watch: March 2016

04/04/2016

Several instances of corruption and mismanagement of public property and trust came to light in March and included new developments in cases involving Chicago Public Schools’ former CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett and former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

TAGS: corruption

Republican Party

May Corruption Watch

State rep. seeks revote on veto override of binding arbitration bill

Why Gov. Rauner should sign marijuana decriminalization into law

Madigan’s unbalanced budget overspends by $7 billion

92% percent of Illinoisans support criminal-justice reform, poll finds

All tax hikes, no reform: Illinois politicians should reject ‘budgeteer’ budget plan

Madigan lawyer sues to block fair-map amendment

Illinois House votes down statewide property-tax freeze, passes plan that exempts vast majority of communities

Madigan’s ‘millionaire tax’ fails in House

Illinois corruption watch: March 2016

FAQ: How the federal scholarship program would help Illinois students

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