Madigan spent millions to elect, retain Illinois Supreme Court Justice Kilbride

By Joe Tabor

10/09/2020

Committees controlled by the speaker of the Illinois House funded more than half of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride’s campaign contributions in 2010. Kilbride is up for retention again this year.

TAGS: Illinois Supreme Court, Mike Madigan, Thomas Kilbride

Pritzker gets OK to treat businesses as criminals for failing to enforce his COVID-19 mask order

By Brad Weisenstein

08/11/2020

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker again turned to criminal penalties to gain compliance with his coronavirus mandates. He is targeting business owners when customers and staff fail to wear masks.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, JB Pritzker, small business

Pritzker lifts 10-person limit on religious gatherings after facing legal pressure

05/29/2020

After being asked by the U.S. Supreme Court to reply to religious groups’ objections, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced he was ending the 10-person limit on religious gatherings.

TAGS: IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, JB Pritzker, stay at home order, U.S. Supreme Court

Illinois tops list for harshest COVID-19 restrictions in America

05/22/2020

Illinois was ranked as the most restrictive state in the U.S. in a survey of COVID-19 actions that impact everyday life.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order

Nonunion Chicago educators sue CTU, AFT to end forced union dues

By Vincent Caruso

05/07/2020

While members can opt out of CTU at any time, the union says they may only stop paying the union if they do so during a one-month period. A lawsuit filed against the union argues this violates teachers’ First Amendment rights.

TAGS: AFT: American Federation of Teachers, Chicago, CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, government unions, Janus v. AFSCME

Bill would lift ban on out-of-state wine delivery

03/17/2020

Illinois’ strict regulations on wine shipments deprive residents of choice and the state of critical tax revenue. The anti-competitive law may be unconstitutional.

TAGS: competition, consumer choice, cronyism, National Association of Wine Retailers, Sara Feignholtz, three-tier system, Wine & Spirits Distributors of Illinois

Trump commutes Blagojevich’s prison sentence

By Austin Berg

02/18/2020

The nation’s corruption capitol will see one of its most infamous political figures return home.

TAGS: commutation, corruption, Donald Trump, Rod Blagojevich

Illinois can spend another $10B on infrastructure without tax hikes

By Adam Schuster

05/15/2019

Illinois can do it the old way and raise taxes to deliver pork projects. Or Illinois can be smart and make each tax dollar work hard to deliver projects that help residents and the economy.

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.

Pensions make Illinois property taxes among nation’s most painful

By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill, Joe Tabor

07/30/2018

Any meaningful property tax relief for Illinoisans means reforming Illinois’ unsustainable public pension system.

Supreme Court of the United States

Madigan spent millions to elect, retain Illinois Supreme Court Justice Kilbride

Pritzker gets OK to treat businesses as criminals for failing to enforce his COVID-19 mask order

Pritzker lifts 10-person limit on religious gatherings after facing legal pressure

Illinois tops list for harshest COVID-19 restrictions in America

Nonunion Chicago educators sue CTU, AFT to end forced union dues

Bill would lift ban on out-of-state wine delivery

Trump commutes Blagojevich’s prison sentence

Illinois can spend another $10B on infrastructure without tax hikes

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

Pensions make Illinois property taxes among nation’s most painful

Illinois Forward 2027: How to fix Illinois’ state finances

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