Illinois red-light cameras have collected more than $1B from drivers since 2008

By Austin Berg

10/14/2019

Red-light cameras are taking more and more money from Illinois motorists. But dubious safety benefits, a cloud of corruption and a bipartisan bill in Springfield may combine to take them off the streets.

Springfield response to capital bill corruption: A new coat of paint

By Austin Berg

10/10/2019

As the Sandoval scandal develops, Illinoisans should be careful not to confuse personnel changes for reform.

TAGS: capital bill, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, gas tax, investigation, JB Pritzker, Martin Sandoval, transportation

Federal raids intersect with 4 connected to controversial red-light camera company

By Vincent Caruso

10/10/2019

Federal raids on the home and offices of state Sen. Martin Sandoval were followed by raids on several suburban village offices in his senate district. Sandoval and at least three others being investigated are connected to a red-light camera company, which has denied wrongdoing.

TAGS: corruption, Lyons, Martin Sandoval, McCook, red light cameras, SafeSpeed

Cost of Illinois’ education bureaucracy crowds out classroom spending

By Adam Schuster

08/20/2019

More than 9,000 Illinois school district administrators earn more than $100,000 a year. Each of them will collect at least $3 million in pension benefits during retirement.

TAGS: education, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, Rita Mayfield, school district consolidation, school district efficiency

More than 130 six-figure school district administrators oppose education efficiency bill

05/14/2019

An Illinois House bill that would allow more education funding dollars reach the classroom before getting trapped in administration has earned support from both parties – and the opposition of administrators.

TAGS: municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, school district consolidation, school district efficiency

Illinois House unanimously passes education efficiency bill

By Adam Schuster

03/28/2019

By reducing administrative bloat in Illinois school districts, the bill would enable property tax relief while ensuring education dollars reach students and classrooms first, rather than bureaucrats.

TAGS: education, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, Rita Mayfield, school district consolidation, school district efficiency, taxes

Education efficiency bill would prioritize classroom spending

By Vincent Caruso

03/11/2019

A bill in the Illinois House would empower voters to reform the funding priorities of their local school districts.

TAGS: budget, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, property taxes, Rita Mayfield, school district consolidation, taxes

Madigan’s money: AFSCME spending trail reveals extensive and hidden political activity

By Mailee Smith, Joe Tabor

11/01/2018

AFSCME Council 31, its PAC and AFSCME headquarters are major political players, funneling millions of dollars every year to Democrats or self-proclaimed progressive organizations.

53 representatives sign on to letter opposing progressive tax

By Chris Lentino

09/06/2018

Taxpayers across Illinois oppose a progressive tax but many state lawmakers still refuse to stand up against House Speaker Mike Madigan’s progressive tax push.

TAGS: graduated income tax, income tax, Mike Madigan, progressive income tax, taxes

Trio of occupational licensing bills en route to governor’s desk

By Vincent Caruso

05/23/2018

A series of occupational licensing reform bills making their way out of the General Assembly would help more Illinoisans enter the workforce.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Chuck Weaver, criminal justice reform, occupational licensing, Pam Althoff, Rita Mayfield

Rita Mayfield

Illinois red-light cameras have collected more than $1B from drivers since 2008

Springfield response to capital bill corruption: A new coat of paint

Federal raids intersect with 4 connected to controversial red-light camera company

Cost of Illinois’ education bureaucracy crowds out classroom spending

More than 130 six-figure school district administrators oppose education efficiency bill

Illinois House unanimously passes education efficiency bill

Education efficiency bill would prioritize classroom spending

Madigan’s money: AFSCME spending trail reveals extensive and hidden political activity

53 representatives sign on to letter opposing progressive tax

Trio of occupational licensing bills en route to governor’s desk

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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