Madigan is latest as Illinois averages 1 corruption conviction a week – for 40 years
Madigan is latest as Illinois averages 1 corruption conviction a week – for 40 years
Corruption in Illinois is on a weekly basis. The state averaged more than one corruption conviction per week from 1983-2023, which marked the start of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s leadership.
By Dylan Sharkey
Former Illinois House Speaker Madigan guilty of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud
Former Illinois House Speaker Madigan guilty of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was convicted of using his office to run an illegal enterprise. Madigan was the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history.
By Dylan Sharkey
Jaurice Winston
Jaurice Winston
“I’m from the West Side of Chicago, the Austin area to be specific. There were lots of summer programs in my area and the one I signed up for was run by the Male Mogul Initiative. I had no idea what it was or what it was going to do for me.” “Everything I learned...
Greater Chicago hit hard as Illinois sees 2,342 mass layoffs in January
Greater Chicago hit hard as Illinois sees 2,342 mass layoffs in January
Illinois companies announced 2,342 mass layoffs in January 2025, according to state reports. More than 9-in-10 job cuts impacted Cook and the collar counties.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko
Vallas: Illinois’ woes say more about Pritzker, Johnson than Trump
Vallas: Illinois’ woes say more about Pritzker, Johnson than Trump
Illinois leaders have built a legacy of massive government spending deficits, extortionate taxes, marauding criminals and failing schools. Instead of Trump-proofing Illinois, maybe we need to Pritzker- and Johnson-proof it.
By Paul Vallas
Nearly 10,000 ideas for Illinois laws. Just 44 came with price tags.
Nearly 10,000 ideas for Illinois laws. Just 44 came with price tags.
Almost 10,000 bills were filed in the 103rd Illinois General Assembly that just ended. Of those, only 44 calculated how much the proposals would cost taxpayers.
By Joe Tabor, Lilly Rossi
Illinois lawmakers plan to short pensions by $5.1B in July
Illinois lawmakers plan to short pensions by $5.1B in July
Illinois’ five state-run retirement systems need $16.8 billion in funding for the coming fiscal year, but state lawmakers only plan to pay $11.7 billion. That’s $5.1 billion less than needed for plans already approaching insolvency.
By Bryce Hill
Unfunded mandates keep property taxes high
Unfunded mandates keep property taxes high
When local governments must comply with a new state law, it often increases costs. Those costs are passed on to the taxpayer.
By Joe Tabor
Does Illinois make it too hard to build housing?
Does Illinois make it too hard to build housing?
The median home price in Illinois is almost 40% higher than it was at the start of the pandemic, but why?
By Jess Plowman
Chicago Teachers Union moves one step closer to going on strike
Chicago Teachers Union moves one step closer to going on strike
The Chicago Teachers Union rejected recommendations from a neutral factfinder. The union will be free to strike after the report is public for 30 days and the union gives 10 days’ notice of striking.
By Mailee Smith
Nine of 15 Illinois metros add jobs in December as employment gains trail nation
Nine of 15 Illinois metros add jobs in December as employment gains trail nation
New data shows nine of 15 Illinois metropolitan areas added jobs in December as the state gained 8,800 jobs. Ten metro areas reported higher unemployment than the national average.
By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko