Former state Rep. Arroyo pleads not guilty to bribery charge

02/05/2020

Arroyo resigned from his seat in the Illinois General Assembly after his arrest in October on bribery charges. He now faces up to 10 years in prison for bribery.

TAGS: bribery, corruption, fair tax, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, federal investigation, graduated income tax, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, Illinois, Illinois House of Representatives, Illinois Senate, IRS: Internal Revenue Service, JB Pritzker, lobbying, Luis Arroyo, Martin Sandoval, progressive income tax, red light cameras, Springfield, tax fraud, Terry Link

Bipartisan township consolidation bill heads to Pritzker’s desk

05/17/2019

Former Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed a bill that would have made it easier for McHenry County residents to consolidate their townships. Renewed bipartisan support has sent it back to the governor’s desk, now occupied by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

TAGS: consolidation, local government consolidation, property taxes, taxes

With 517 laws passed last year, odds are some will help Illinois taxpayers in 2019

12/19/2018

New Year brings new laws as the 100thGeneral Assembly ends. Here are a few wins for Illinois taxpayers.

TAGS: ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, licensing, local government consolidation, occupational licensing, pensions, regulations, school district consolidation

Top 10 recipients of Madigan money

By Austin Berg

08/23/2018

More than 60 sitting state representatives have received money from Madigan over the course of their careers, totaling around $15 million.

TAGS: Carol Sente, Deb Conroy, Fred Crespo, Kathleen Willis, Katie Stuart, Marty Moylan, Michelle Mussman, Mike Madigan, Natalie Manley, Sam Yingling, Stephanie Kifowit, Sue Scherer

Most of Lake County’s largest communities are shrinking

By Austin Berg

07/09/2018

Many communities in the northern Illinois border county are having trouble attracting and retaining residents.

TAGS: Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Highland Park, Lake County, Mundelein, North Chicago, outmigration, population, Round Lake Beach, Vernon Hills, Waukegan, Wheeling, Winthrop Harbor

En route to Rauner’s desk: Victories for licensing reform, regulatory rollback and axing golden parachutes

06/19/2018

Nearly 600 bills are on their way to the governor, some of which would be encouraging changes to the status quo.

TAGS: Bruce Rauner, Carol Sente, criminal justice reform, Dan McConchie, Illinois Tollway, occupational licensing, Pam Althoff, Paul Schimpf, regulations, Thomas Cullerton, transparency

61 Vernon Hills village employees earn more than $100K

By Vincent Caruso

05/07/2018

More than half of the full-time village workforce takes home total compensation over $100,000 annually.

TAGS: Lake County, municipal government, municipal pensions, pensions, property taxes, salaries, Vernon Hills

Former Vernon Hills village manager to receive $161K severance package

By Vincent Caruso

04/20/2018

While details surrounding the ex-official’s separation with the village remain undisclosed to the public, trustees’ approval of his $161,000 severance package went unobstructed.

TAGS: local government, municipal pensions, pensions, salaries

Tackle football ban for children under 12 shelved for now

By Brendan Bakala

04/18/2018

The measure would’ve banned kids aged 12 and under from playing tackle football.

TAGS: Carol Sente, football

House committee passes tackle football ban for Illinoisans under age 12

By Brendan Bakala

03/01/2018

The CTE Prevention Act would forbid any child under the age of 12 from playing tackle football.

TAGS: CTE Prevention Act, education, football, regulations

Vernon Hills

Former state Rep. Arroyo pleads not guilty to bribery charge

Bipartisan township consolidation bill heads to Pritzker’s desk

With 517 laws passed last year, odds are some will help Illinois taxpayers in 2019

Top 10 recipients of Madigan money

Most of Lake County’s largest communities are shrinking

En route to Rauner’s desk: Victories for licensing reform, regulatory rollback and axing golden parachutes

61 Vernon Hills village employees earn more than $100K

Former Vernon Hills village manager to receive $161K severance package

Tackle football ban for children under 12 shelved for now

House committee passes tackle football ban for Illinoisans under age 12

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

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