State of the state: 10 facts you need to know about transparency in a state famous for corruption

By Brian Costin

02/03/2015

The state that gave rise to Rod Blagojevich, Jesse Jackson Jr. and Rita Crundwell still hasn’t learned its lesson.

New rules for IL General Assembly display politics as usual

By Jane McEnaney

02/01/2015

Among the changes is a new posting requirement that provides only a one-hour notice before a committee hearing, diminishing transparency and accountability.

Pensions are contracts; nothing more, nothing less

By Benjamin VanMetre

01/22/2015

Illinois Policy Institute files amicus brief in SB 1 case

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Constitution, Illinois Supreme Court, pensions, Senate Bill 1

Illinoisans will receive income-tax relief in 2015

By Jane McEnaney

12/04/2014

With a lame-duck session dead in the water, the 2011 income-tax hikes will sunset on schedule; a minimum-wage debate will wait until Rauner takes office; and taxpayers will not be on the hook for a state-funded health insurance exchange.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, income tax, lame duck session

The wrong idea at the wrong time: 6 things you need to know about SB 2758

By Robert Steere

12/02/2014

Senate Bill 2758 establishes a brand new governmental entity with a brand new governmental function: to establish and administer a “mostly mandatory” IRA retirement savings program for private-sector workers.

Veto session week 1 recap: minimum-wage hike, mandatory caregiver training still up for grabs

By Donovan Griffith

11/22/2014

Ridesharing regulations, ObamaCare exchange and extension of the 2011 tax hikes all lay dormant.

TAGS: lame duck session, veto

70-mph speed limit fast-tracked after veto override

By Austin Berg

11/21/2014

Contrary to Quinn, Illinois drivers are likely to get 70-mph speed limits on tollways statewide as early as Dec. 2.

TAGS: speed limit, veto

New app gives Illinois voters access to legislation, timely legislative information

By Jane McEnaney

10/09/2014

Since January 2013, the Illinois General Assembly has filed 6,305 bills in the House and 3,667 bills in the Senate. These figures don’t account for the myriad amendments that are tacked on to many bills before the full legislature votes on them. With that many pieces of legislation, the average concerned citizen needs a mechanism...

Senate Dems live in denial, turn to propaganda

By Michael Lucci

10/06/2014

Denial— a failure to acknowledge an unacceptable truth or emotion or to admit it into your consciousness, used as a defense mechanism. Illinois’ Senate Democrats launched a website called “I Like Illinois.” The explicit purpose of the site, according to their tweets, is to “counter negativity of Illinois Policy Institute.” This purpose is ironic, given...

TAGS: Democrats

Illinois corruption watch, August 2014

By Brian Costin

09/05/2014

At least 84 corruption-related stories have been reported from across the state of Illinois in August alone. Atop August headlines is the recent revelation that a federal grand jury subpoenaed the emails of Gov. Pat Quinn’s ex-chief of staff in relation to Quinn’s anti-violence grant program. The case, which has been referred to by some...

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, cronyism, transparency, waste

United States Senate

State of the state: 10 facts you need to know about transparency in a state famous for corruption

New rules for IL General Assembly display politics as usual

Pensions are contracts; nothing more, nothing less

Illinoisans will receive income-tax relief in 2015

The wrong idea at the wrong time: 6 things you need to know about SB 2758

Veto session week 1 recap: minimum-wage hike, mandatory caregiver training still up for grabs

70-mph speed limit fast-tracked after veto override

New app gives Illinois voters access to legislation, timely legislative information

Senate Dems live in denial, turn to propaganda

Illinois corruption watch, August 2014

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