Pritzker contract gives AFSCME unfettered access to workers’ private information
Pritzker contract gives AFSCME unfettered access to workers’ private information
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker agreed to a deal with AFSCME Council 31 that threatens the privacy of state workers and violates workers’ rights.
By Mailee Smith
Taxpayer support for southwestern Illinois airport hits $104.3 million
Taxpayer support for southwestern Illinois airport hits $104.3 million
Each year St. Clair County, Illinois, taxpayers must add money to keep MidAmerica St. Louis Airport open. While passenger traffic is increasing, so are expenses.
By Brad Weisenstein
Pritzker signs AFSCME deal costing taxpayers $3.6 billion more than it needed to
Pritzker signs AFSCME deal costing taxpayers $3.6 billion more than it needed to
By continuing practices such as automatic raises and taxpayer-subsidized platinum health insurance, along with a new $2,500 bonus, the AFSCME contract will transfer more than $3.6 billion in extra compensation from taxpayers to state workers.
Appellate judges rule Mautino campaign violated election code, faces more fines
Appellate judges rule Mautino campaign violated election code, faces more fines
The campaign committee that once backed Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino – a former state lawmaker – violated Illinois election codes, appellate judges ruled.
By Brad Weisenstein
Illinois K-12 school districts losing students, gaining administrators
Illinois K-12 school districts losing students, gaining administrators
Despite shrinking populations of students and teachers, Illinois school districts have continued to grow their administrative bodies.
Craig Schumacher
Craig Schumacher
“I was born and raised here, and I raised my family here. I’ve given 50 years of my life to this state. And it’s just not financially feasible anymore. “I certainly wouldn’t [move] if there wasn’t such a financial difference. We’re deeply rooted here. Sure, Florida’s a nice place to visit, always thought so. But...
Judge rules in Madigan’s favor on ‘sham candidate’ lawsuit
Judge rules in Madigan’s favor on ‘sham candidate’ lawsuit
Lawyers for Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan argued that even if he did recruit so-called “sham candidates” to siphon votes away from his 2016 primary opponent, such tactics aren’t against the law.
By Austin Berg
Burke steps down from property tax appeals business, Madigan remains
Burke steps down from property tax appeals business, Madigan remains
Ald. Ed Burke has long been criticized for operating a lucrative law business in the politically clouted world of Cook County property tax appeals, a world in which the speaker of the Illinois House of Representative continues to make money.
By Austin Berg
Illinois is more dependent on food stamps than any other neighboring state
Illinois is more dependent on food stamps than any other neighboring state
Illinois has a higher percentage of its residents on food stamps than its neighboring states, and has seen a much slower decline in food stamp recipients following the recession.
Lightfoot looks to Springfield for more taxing power on high-end services, home sales
Lightfoot looks to Springfield for more taxing power on high-end services, home sales
Chicago’s mayor wants permission from Springfield to impose a new tax on high-end professional services and raise taxes on pricier home sales, as the city faces down a $1 billion deficit.
By Vincent Caruso
Culture of harassment, bullying in Madigan’s office detailed in probe
Culture of harassment, bullying in Madigan’s office detailed in probe
Government employees under Madigan’s watch were made to feel accountable to lobbyists, political campaign staff and other outside interests. Not the public.
By Austin Berg