Full text of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State speech

02/15/2023

Here’s what Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker had to say about how Illinois is faring and what his priorities will be in the fiscal year 2024 budget.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Union member: Amendment 1 works against union interests

09/26/2022

A union member argues both government union members and taxpayers lose if Amendment 1 passes Nov. 8. He’s against it.

TAGS: Amendment 1

5 Illinois driver’s license facilities closed nearly a year in Chicago area

By Patrick Andriesen

04/20/2021

State workers are still being paid as their five Chicago-area driver’s license facilities remain closed for nearly a year. That’s as 1.2 million Illinoisans are driving on expired licenses.

TAGS: COVID-19, DMV: Department of Motor Vehicles, Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White

2019-2020 Illinois corruption tracker

By Austin Berg

11/11/2019

Government corruption is nothing new for Illinoisans. Illinois is the second-most corrupt state in the nation, according to research by the University of Illinois-Chicago. And corruption costs the state economy more than $550 million per year. What is new? Powerful Illinois lawmakers, Chicago aldermen, local mayors and business interests are involved in what appears to be...

In need of a comeback story, Illinoisans give thanks to their champions

By Austin Berg

11/30/2017

In a state that can seem devoid of hope, Joe Ocol’s empathy and generosity are something we all should cherish.

TAGS: education, Joe Ocol

Give thanks for Englewood’s chess champions

By Austin Berg

11/21/2017

One South Side success story is fighting for its future.

TAGS: Chicago, education

Could this court be the future of criminal justice in Illinois?

By Austin Berg

08/04/2017

The Illinois Department of Corrections pays nearly $22,000 in direct costs per inmate.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, restorative justice

Illinois’ first restorative justice court will save money, improve outcomes

By Joe Tabor

07/31/2017

Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood will host a program that brings defendants in contact with their victims and allow the victims to set the compensation for the crime.

TAGS: criminal justice reform, restorative justice

How Joe Ocol makes kings and queens in Englewood

By Austin Berg

05/08/2017

Joe Ocol is taking his South Side chess team to one of the nation’s premier tournaments. But he needs help paying their way.

TAGS: budget, education, Joe Ocol

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

West Side

Full text of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s State of the State speech

Union member: Amendment 1 works against union interests

5 Illinois driver’s license facilities closed nearly a year in Chicago area

2019-2020 Illinois corruption tracker

In need of a comeback story, Illinoisans give thanks to their champions

Give thanks for Englewood’s chess champions

Could this court be the future of criminal justice in Illinois?

Illinois’ first restorative justice court will save money, improve outcomes

How Joe Ocol makes kings and queens in Englewood

Corruption Watch: April 2015

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