The cost of Illinois’ lawmakers

By John Klingner, Ted Dabrowski

07/26/2016

Illinois lawmakers pay themselves the fifth-highest annual lawmaker base salary in the country.

Removing barriers for ex-offenders: Occupational-licensing expansion bill passes Illinois Senate

By Hilary Gowins

05/27/2016

House Bill 5973 would help ex-offenders support themselves and their families by removing barriers for nonviolent ex-offenders who want to work in barbering, cosmetology, esthetics, hair braiding, nail services, roofing and funeral service.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, occupational licensing, reentry

Why Rauner should veto all of Madigan’s budget

By Craig Lesner

05/27/2016

Senate Bill 2048 isn’t a serious blueprint for the future of Illinois.

TAGS: budget, Mike Madigan

Madigan’s rules: How one man controls Illinois

By Austin Berg

05/25/2016

Illinoisans may elect who goes to the House of Representatives, but they don’t choose their representation – at least not in any meaningful sense. The power belongs to Madigan. And he represents himself.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Illinois property taxes highest in the US, double national average

By Austin Berg

04/28/2016

Illinois homeowners are struggling under the weight of the nation’s highest property-tax bills, according to a new analysis.

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

General Assembly returns to Springfield with looming deadlines

By Heather Weiner

04/01/2016

After returning from vacation, Illinois lawmakers will operate under rapidly approaching deadlines to pass legislation.

Legislative update: Government transparency, consolidation bills on the move in Springfield

By Heather Weiner

03/07/2016

Illinois Policy Action has been busy advancing its 2016 Legislative Agenda, arguing for bills that make local- government operations more transparent to residents, and promote efficiency.

TAGS: good government

Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2015

12/14/2015

November saw Chicago’s City Council let the term of the legislative inspector general, who is tasked with overseeing City Council, expire without hiring a replacement, as well as several other instances of breach of public trust and influence peddling around the state.

TAGS: corruption

Illinois Lottery sales tank as Democrats block funding for payouts

By Austin Berg

11/24/2015

Ticket sales slumped by more than $20 million in October as lottery players balked at a broken system.

TAGS: budget, illinois lottery, John Cullerton

United States House of Representatives

The cost of Illinois’ lawmakers

Removing barriers for ex-offenders: Occupational-licensing expansion bill passes Illinois Senate

Why Rauner should veto all of Madigan’s budget

Madigan’s rules: How one man controls Illinois

Illinois property taxes highest in the US, double national average

Madigan’s ‘millionaire tax’ fails in House

General Assembly returns to Springfield with looming deadlines

Legislative update: Government transparency, consolidation bills on the move in Springfield

Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2015

Illinois Lottery sales tank as Democrats block funding for payouts

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