Cook County board gives itself 10% raise, automatic future pay increases

By Francesco Rahe, Patrick Andriesen

06/03/2022

The Cook County Board of Commissioners voted May 24 to increase its members’ salaries 10% in December, followed by automatic annual pay increases each year up to 3%. Civic groups say the perpetual pay hikes pose future concern.

TAGS: Cook County Board, lawmaker pay

AT&T gets subpoena in Madigan probe

07/27/2020

Federal investigators are looking into Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s relationship with multiple corporations.

TAGS: corruption, Mike Madigan

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 stop Pritzker from paying state workers on the side

By Brad Weisenstein

01/12/2020

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has used his private fortune to pay $3 million in state expenses, including boosting salaries of 16 top staffers. Some lawmakers want the ‘unethical’ practice to stop.

TAGS: bipartisan, conflict of interest, corruption, fair maps, house rules, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Illinois Constitution, independent maps, JB Pritzker, lawmaker pay, lawmakers, Legislative Inspector General, legislative map, lobbying, revolving door, Smart Scale, Springfield, watchdog

Oak Lawn credit rating hits junk status amid skyrocketing pension costs

By Brad Weisenstein

01/07/2020

Massive increases in public safety pension contributions have failed to keep Oak Lawn’s credit from being downgraded to junk status. The Chicago suburb’s leaders are fighting cuts and tax increases, which are inevitable without pension reform in Springfield.

TAGS: credit rating, firefighter pensions, IDOI: Illinois Department of Insurance, Moody's Investor Service, municipal pensions, Oak Lawn, police pensions, public safety

Former City Colleges of Chicago leader charged in $350K kickback scheme

11/25/2019

Contracts went to relatives, associates of former vice chancellor in exchange for kickbacks, charges state. Some contracts required no work.

TAGS: Chicago City College, corruption, debt, graduation rate, Juan Salgado, no-bid contracts, Rahm Emanuel, Sharod Gordon

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.

Architect of Illinois gas tax hike accused of ‘racketeering conspiracy’

By Vincent Caruso

10/01/2019

The lawmaker who carried to the governor’s desk an infrastructure plan that doubled the state’s gas tax used his influence as a powerful state lawmaker to land his son a government job, a lawsuit alleges.

TAGS: FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Martin Sandoval, patronage, RTA: Regional Transportation Authority

Disgraced former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis still receiving $95,000 public pension

09/18/2019

The FBI detailed sex, drugs and corruption involving former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis, but he is still receiving a nearly $95,000 public pension after cooperating with their probe.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, Danny Solis, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions

Judge orders arrest of 2 former Madigan operatives

By Austin Berg

03/26/2019

Two former political workers for longtime Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan failed to attend depositions in a lawsuit alleging Madigan backed “sham candidates” in his 2016 primary election.

TAGS: Charlie Hernandez, Jason Gonzales, Kevin Quinn, Mike Madigan, Shaw Decremer

The Tribune

Cook County board gives itself 10% raise, automatic future pay increases

AT&T gets subpoena in Madigan probe

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

Bill would stop Pritzker from paying state workers on the side

Oak Lawn credit rating hits junk status amid skyrocketing pension costs

Former City Colleges of Chicago leader charged in $350K kickback scheme

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

Architect of Illinois gas tax hike accused of ‘racketeering conspiracy’

Disgraced former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis still receiving $95,000 public pension

Judge orders arrest of 2 former Madigan operatives

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