Report: Chicago Teachers Union is new Chicago political machine

By Mailee Smith

09/25/2024

Years of exorbitant political spending in Illinois – more than $24.3 million since 2010 – has secured an enormous amount of political influence for the Chicago Teachers Union. It is now the main political player not just in Chicago, but across the state.

Pritzker reacts to warning about closed polling places, vows COVID-19 won’t close them

By Brad Weisenstein

10/30/2020

Executive orders could impact the election and are impacting Illinois restaurants and bars. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is being asked for some assurances and the data behind his science.

TAGS: COVID-19, Election Day, emergency, JB Pritzker

Opposition to Pritzker’s lockdown spreading rapidly

By Brad Weisenstein

05/15/2020

Opposition to Pritzker’s order is growing, as small business owners sue to challenge the governor’s ability to order them into ruin.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, reopen, small business, stay-at-home

Illinois lawmakers miss deadline for corruption reforms

04/02/2020

State lawmakers putting together ethics reforms have not met since the first week of March, when the coronavirus ended gatherings.

TAGS: conflict of interest, corruption, ethics task force, lobbying, revolving door

Blagojevich comes home to America’s most corrupt city

02/26/2020

Chicago and the state of Illinois are notorious around the country for high-profile corruption convictions. Rod Blagojevich settles back in after the former governor’s imprisonment for corruption.

TAGS: Chicago, conflict of interest, conviction, Cook County, cooling off period, corruption, ethics, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jeff Tobolski, lobbying, Martin Sandoval, Patrick Doherty, prison, red light cameras, revolving door, Rod Blagojevich, SafeSpeed, watchdog

Bill would ban Illinois lawmakers from acting as lobbyists

02/24/2020

When Illinois lawmakers work as lobbyists, it creates public distrust and serious conflicts of interest.

TAGS: bribery, Carol Ammons, conflicts of interest, cooling off period, corruption, ethics, IDOT: Illinois Department of Transportation, lobbying, Martin Sandoval, red light cameras, revolving door, Scott Bennett

Illinois home to more public corruption convictions than any other state since 2000

02/20/2020

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s release from federal prison may be making room behind bars for other Illinois politicians. Illinois is the top state for corruption, and federal agents are busy looking for more.

TAGS: corruption, ethics, revolving door

Lake County residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation

05/07/2019

As property tax bills hit Lake County mailboxes, residents get a stark reminder that Illinois needs pension reform, not higher taxes.

TAGS: fair tax, income tax, Lake County, outmigration, population, progressive income tax, property taxes, taxes

DuPage County residents pay some of the nation’s highest property tax rates

04/30/2019

As property tax bills hit DuPage County mailboxes, residents are reminded that Illinois needs pension reform, not higher taxes.

TAGS: collar counties, fair tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, progressive income tax, property taxes, taxes

Springfield area residents pay some of the nation’s highest property tax rates

04/29/2019

A progressive tax won’t stop constant property tax hikes. Pension reform will.

TAGS: fair tax, income tax, municipal pensions, pension guarantee, pensions, progressive income tax, property taxes, Springfield, taxes

WLS-TV

Report: Chicago Teachers Union is new Chicago political machine

Pritzker reacts to warning about closed polling places, vows COVID-19 won’t close them

Opposition to Pritzker’s lockdown spreading rapidly

Illinois lawmakers miss deadline for corruption reforms

Blagojevich comes home to America’s most corrupt city

Bill would ban Illinois lawmakers from acting as lobbyists

Illinois home to more public corruption convictions than any other state since 2000

Lake County residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation

DuPage County residents pay some of the nation’s highest property tax rates

Springfield area residents pay some of the nation’s highest property tax rates

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