It’s time to end Illinois’ fireworks ban

By Austin Berg

06/30/2016

The Land of Lincoln is one of only seven states to impose harsh restrictions on the sale and possession of fireworks.

TAGS: fireworks ban, regulations

Reforming Illinois’ nonviolent Class 4 felony statutes

By Lauren Krisai

05/11/2016

Illinois school district consolidation provides path to efficiency, lower tax burdens

By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner

04/22/2016

Nearly 25 percent of Illinois school districts serve just one school, and over one-third of all school districts have fewer than 600 students.

Comptroller announces paycheck delays for Illinois politicians, state officials

04/18/2016

Total compensation for affected legislators and statewide officeholders equals about $1.3 million per month, according to the comptroller. On top of salaries, taxpayers also have to foot the bill for lawmaker pensions – in Illinois’ active legislators will each cost the state budget about $180,000 next year.

TAGS: lawmaker pay, Leslie Munger

Record sealing for Illinois ex-offenders offers a better shot at employment, second chance

By Bryant Jackson-Green

04/14/2016

An effective record-sealing policy can help nonviolent offenders find employment and stay away from crime.

TAGS: record sealing

The debt never paid: Re-entry reforms for Illinois

By Bryant Jackson-Green

03/31/2016

How to reform a broken criminal-justice system that prevents ex-offenders from achieving self-sufficiency

Kentucky governor-elect: 401(k)-style plans for new government employees

By Ted Dabrowski

11/23/2015

Kentucky’s governor-elect wants 401(k)s for new government employees.

TAGS: 401(k), pensions

Illinois leads nation in overcrowded prisons

By Bryant Jackson-Green

10/13/2015

Illinois prisons held 150 percent of their maximum capacity in 2014, the highest rate of crowding of any prison system in the country, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, prison, prison overcrowding, prison population

Making Illinois smart on crime: First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

By Bryant Jackson-Green, Dianna Muldrow, Derek Cohen

08/06/2015

First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

6 reforms to address Illinois’ broken criminal-justice system

By Bryant Jackson-Green

07/23/2015

Illinois’ prison system is failing taxpayers and offenders alike. Here are six reforms to start fixing the problem.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, population

Utah

It’s time to end Illinois’ fireworks ban

Reforming Illinois’ nonviolent Class 4 felony statutes

Illinois school district consolidation provides path to efficiency, lower tax burdens

Comptroller announces paycheck delays for Illinois politicians, state officials

Record sealing for Illinois ex-offenders offers a better shot at employment, second chance

The debt never paid: Re-entry reforms for Illinois

Kentucky governor-elect: 401(k)-style plans for new government employees

Illinois leads nation in overcrowded prisons

Making Illinois smart on crime: First steps to reduce spending, ease offender re-entry and enhance public safety

6 reforms to address Illinois’ broken criminal-justice system

Pathway to a Profession: How Apprenticeships Could Reshape Illinois’ Beauty Service Industry

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