After months of gridlock, compromise rears its head in Springfield

By Heather Weiner

11/12/2015

Good-faith negotiation and trust were foundational to all of the deals made, but some Statehouse Democrats pushed for extreme solutions while others were actively compromising.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, budget, Child Care Assistance Program, illinois lottery, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan

Illinois Corruption Watch: October 2015

11/04/2015

October saw a former Chicago Public Schools CEO plead guilty to wire fraud and several other instances of criminal charges and civil lawsuits against public officials, as well as crony deals between businesses and government.

TAGS: corruption

House rejects Madigan’s attempt to clog federal-funds pass-through bill

By Amy Korte, Heather Weiner

08/12/2015

Through this latest bit of gamesmanship, Madigan delayed the enactment of the state’s uncontroversial federal-funds pass-through legislation.

Rauner vetoes will stand, Madigan’s unconstitutional budget dies today

By Heather Weiner

07/30/2015

To craft a balanced budget, lawmakers must go back to the drawing board.

Despite Senate OKing one-month budget, Illinois no closer to a balanced budget

By Lara Forsythe

07/15/2015

Temporary, unbalanced budget now moves to the governor’s desk for approval – Rauner has said he will veto the measure.

TAGS: balanced budget requirement, debt, spending

Illinois House balks on real workers’ compensation reform

By Heather Weiner

06/07/2015

Illinois’ economy remains hamstrung by a broken system.

TAGS: Jay Hoffman, Jim Durkin, Mike Madigan, Ron Sandack, turnaround agenda, workers compensation

Madigan, Cullerton and the absurdity of Springfield’s budget blame game

By David Giuliani

06/03/2015

Responsibility for Illinois’ sorry state of affairs falls at the feet of House Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and their combined 80 years in state government.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, John Cullerton, Mike Madigan

Amid complex budget talks, Madigan gamesmanship a constant

By Jim Long

06/01/2015

Long before his General Assembly failed to pass a balanced budget, House Speaker Mike Madigan’s spin machine was churning.

TAGS: House Speaker, Mike Madigan

Illinois Policy Action bills poised for passage

By Heather Weiner

05/09/2015

From criminal justice to crowdfunding, Illinois Policy Action is pushing four bills with a great shot of making it to the governor’s desk.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, crowdfunding, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, right to try

Simplifying Illinois’ labyrinthine law books

By Heather Weiner

03/13/2015

Illinois’ endless list of state statutes could use some spring cleaning.

United States House of Representatives

After months of gridlock, compromise rears its head in Springfield

Illinois Corruption Watch: October 2015

House rejects Madigan’s attempt to clog federal-funds pass-through bill

Rauner vetoes will stand, Madigan’s unconstitutional budget dies today

Despite Senate OKing one-month budget, Illinois no closer to a balanced budget

Illinois House balks on real workers’ compensation reform

Madigan, Cullerton and the absurdity of Springfield’s budget blame game

Amid complex budget talks, Madigan gamesmanship a constant

Illinois Policy Action bills poised for passage

Simplifying Illinois’ labyrinthine law books

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