Chicago ‘tow-and-sell’ operation flips 50K cars, buries drivers in debt

By Vincent Caruso

01/22/2019

Chicago has seized and sold nearly 50,000 impounded vehicles since 2011, hitching drivers to mounting debts, a recent investigation found. The city’s ticketing laws disproportionately harm low-income residents.

TAGS: Chicago, criminal justice reform, overcriminalization, Rahm Emanuel

Hundreds of educators stop paying money to Chicago Teachers Union following Janus decision

By Mailee Smith

08/23/2018

At least 300 Chicago Public Schools employees have stopped paying fees to the Chicago Teachers Union after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled they could not be forced to pay the union just to keep their jobs.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, fair share, Janus v. AFSCME, labor

More than 50 municipalities have opted out of Cook County’s minimum wage hike, sick days mandate

By Amy Korte

06/26/2017

Municipal leaders have expressed concerns about the anti-competitive, job-killing effects of Cook County’s minimum wage increases and new sick leave law and are using home rule authority to exempt their communities from the requirements.

TAGS: Cook County, jobs, minimum wage, unemployment

Rahm’s 2017 budget: No significant reforms to help Chicago taxpayers

By Chris Lentino

10/13/2016

In his annual budget address, Mayor Rahm Emanuel provided an optimistic outlook on city finances, but no major reforms to give taxpayers reason to smile.

TAGS: Chicago, Chicago City Council, CPD: Chicago Police Department, Rahm Emanuel, Scott Waguespack

Illinois’ $2 million Skittles bribe a bad deal for taxpayers

06/15/2016

News that Wrigley has started producing Skittles in Illinois has many excited – until they learn just how much Illinois gave in tax incentives to lure 75 new jobs.

TAGS: jobs, manufacturing, tax credits, workers compensation

Freedom, fairness for food carts in Chicago

By Hilary Gowins

09/01/2015

On Sept. 24, 2015, Chicago City Council voted unanimously in favor of an ordinance to legalize food carts, giving thousands of street vendors across the city the freedom to make an honest living and opening the door for the next generation of culinary entrepreneurs.

TAGS: street vending

Corruption Watch: April 2015

By Shawn Tonge

05/08/2015

April saw two major players in Illinois education ensnared in charges of cronyism, among more than 60 other corruption-related stories.

TAGS: good government

Corruption Watch: January 2015

By Shawn Tonge

02/11/2015

The start of a new year always comes with resolutions for improvement, but only time will tell if they translate into effective action.

TAGS: good government

Illinois Corruption Watch: December 2014

By Brian Costin

01/16/2015

The residential-center horror stories demonstrate that corruption in government often hurts the most vulnerable among us. It also shows that exposing those injustices can lead to change.

TAGS: bribery, Chicago, good government

Illinois Corruption Watch, October 2014

By Brian Costin

11/01/2014

In October, we found 52 different stories of potential public corruption in Illinois, including a trio of stories related to the election. An Illinois Policy investigation into emails from a group of Kankakee County superintendents revealed potentially illegal activities to pass a countywide sales-tax hike for school facilities. Documents obtained suggest illegal actions by superintendents...

TAGS: good government, waste

WBEZ

Chicago ‘tow-and-sell’ operation flips 50K cars, buries drivers in debt

Hundreds of educators stop paying money to Chicago Teachers Union following Janus decision

More than 50 municipalities have opted out of Cook County’s minimum wage hike, sick days mandate

Rahm’s 2017 budget: No significant reforms to help Chicago taxpayers

Illinois’ $2 million Skittles bribe a bad deal for taxpayers

Freedom, fairness for food carts in Chicago

Corruption Watch: April 2015

Corruption Watch: January 2015

Illinois Corruption Watch: December 2014

Illinois Corruption Watch, October 2014

Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits

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