Illinois tollway chair resigns following patronage scandal
Illinois tollway chair resigns following patronage scandal
Robert Schillerstrom submitted his resignation after chairing the Illinois tollway for four years. An investigation revealed the outgoing chairman doled out hundreds of millions of dollars in patronage contracts.
By Vincent Caruso
New bills would allow Chicagoans to recall mayor
New bills would allow Chicagoans to recall mayor
Lawmakers in Springfield have introduced a pair of bills that would provide a mechanism for Chicagoans to recall their mayor.
Illinois House passes rules giving Madigan extraordinary power – again
Illinois House passes rules giving Madigan extraordinary power – again
On Jan. 29 the Illinois House of Representatives voted on new House Rules, but none of the new rules addressed the unparalleled power the Speaker of the House is given over the legislative process.
By Joe Tabor
Taxpayer victory: Illinois House cuts committee bloat
Taxpayer victory: Illinois House cuts committee bloat
A glut of $10,000-a-head committee chair positions has been a key tool for House Speaker Mike Madigan to maintain power over members.
By Austin Berg
Illinois lawmakers rekindle efforts to raise tobacco purchase age to 21
Illinois lawmakers rekindle efforts to raise tobacco purchase age to 21
Lawmakers in the Illinois House of Representatives failed to override former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of the “Tobacco 21” bill in November. Gov. Pritzker’s administration has signaled support.
By Vincent Caruso
Senate bill would create liquor licenses for grocery, other delivery services
Senate bill would create liquor licenses for grocery, other delivery services
Grocery delivery services have been on the rise nationwide. A bill in the General Assembly would allow consumers in Illinois to have distilled spirits delivered by a licensed vendor.
By Vincent Caruso
Pritzker ‘fair tax’ could hike taxes on typical Libertyville family by up to $3,500
Pritzker ‘fair tax’ could hike taxes on typical Libertyville family by up to $3,500
While progressive tax proponents champion their “tax on the rich,” middle-income families in Libertyville would see a massive tax hike under the income tax models praised by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
By Vincent Caruso
FBI secretly recorded Madigan at his law office
FBI secretly recorded Madigan at his law office
Madigan has long been criticized for his control of a lucrative law firm specializing in Cook County property tax appeals.
By Austin Berg
Pritzker ‘fair tax’ could hike taxes on typical Lake County family by up to $1,400
Pritzker ‘fair tax’ could hike taxes on typical Lake County family by up to $1,400
While progressive tax proponents champion their “tax on the rich,” middle-income families in Lake County – home to the state’s highest property taxes – could see a big tax hike under income tax models praised by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
By Vincent Caruso
Can Pritzker keep promise to stop Illinois gerrymandering?
Can Pritzker keep promise to stop Illinois gerrymandering?
In the end, redistricting reform could come under the dome in Springfield or by clipboards and signatures on street corners. Either way, those efforts are only helped by the governor holding on to his campaign promise.
By Austin Berg
Chicago aldermen give up control of $100M workers’ comp program
Chicago aldermen give up control of $100M workers’ comp program
A federal corruption charge against Chicago Ald. Ed Burke has led peers to hand control of the $100 million-a-year workers’ compensation program to the city finance department. Burke, who had overseen the program for decades, fought program oversight and staffed it with political allies.
By Brad Weisenstein
Illinois ranks 46 out of 50 states in private sector jobs growth
Illinois ranks 46 out of 50 states in private sector jobs growth
Illinois’ fastest-growing jobs sector in 2018 was government – another sign the state needs pro-growth reforms to keep up with the rest of the country.
By Orphe Divounguy, Bryce Hill