Illinois spent more on transportation, saw more roads crumble

By Ravi Mishra

04/22/2025

Illinois’ inefficient spending on its transportation needs led the state to spend more as its roads got worse. But there is a solution if the state can minimize politics in the decision process and prioritize public need.

Chicago budget has jumped $6B since before COVID, faces $1B deficit in 2025

By Ravi Mishra

10/24/2024

The Chicago budget has grown by over $6 billion since 2019. Despite being bolstered by billions in federal relief, the city is facing nearly a $1 billion deficit in the coming fiscal year.

TAGS: Chicago

1M Chicago speed camera tickets fail to stop record traffic deaths

By Patrick Andriesen

07/18/2022

Chicago reported more traffic deaths in the first six months of 2022 than in any year since 2017, despite speed cameras issuing over 1 million tickets – as many tickets as Chicago has households. Two-thirds of the fines were for speeding 6-10 mph.

TAGS: Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, speed cameras, ticketing

Building fairness and opportunity: The effects of repealing Illinois’ prevailing wage law

By Orphe Divounguy

12/07/2017

Illinois’ Prevailing Wage Act has no place in the 21st century. Policymakers should enact fair and competitive construction laws that give all individuals who are willing to work a fighting chance.

Red-light cameras blanket suburbs at safe intersections

By Brendan Bakala

09/26/2017

A quarter of the cameras were installed at intersections without a red-light-related crash in at least three years, and a majority did not meet IDOT criteria, according to the Chicago Tribune.

TAGS: red light cameras

Judge rules Chicago red-light and speed-camera tickets ‘void’

By Austin Berg

02/24/2016

Chicago is taking yet another black eye for its mishandling of a highly controversial ticketing system, which has slapped drivers with hundreds of millions of dollars in fines.

TAGS: Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, red light cameras

Illinois moves to ban red-light cameras statewide

By Hilary Gowins

04/23/2015

Ideally, the state wouldn’t have to get involved, and local governments would act in the best interests of taxpayers. But the latter isn’t happening.

TAGS: ban

Bruce Rauner: The first 30 days

By Matt Paprocki

02/13/2015

Issuing seven new executive orders and rescinding seven others, along with delivering a State of the State address, the new governor has had a busy first month in office.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s State of the State address

By illinoispolicy

02/04/2015

Gov. Bruce Rauner's State of the State Address. February 4, 2015

Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2014

By Brian Costin

12/07/2014

In November, 13 of 53 Corruption Watch stories were related to policies and actions of criminal-justice authorities in Illinois.

TAGS: Chicago

U.S. Department of Transportation

Illinois spent more on transportation, saw more roads crumble

Chicago budget has jumped $6B since before COVID, faces $1B deficit in 2025

1M Chicago speed camera tickets fail to stop record traffic deaths

Building fairness and opportunity: The effects of repealing Illinois’ prevailing wage law

Red-light cameras blanket suburbs at safe intersections

Judge rules Chicago red-light and speed-camera tickets ‘void’

Illinois moves to ban red-light cameras statewide

Bruce Rauner: The first 30 days

Full text: Gov. Rauner’s State of the State address

Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2014

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