A worker’s right to choose
A worker’s right to choose
Hundreds of thousands of Illinois workers are forced to pay union dues to keep their jobs. But close by, worker freedom reigns.
Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2015
Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2015
November saw Chicago’s City Council let the term of the legislative inspector general, who is tasked with overseeing City Council, expire without hiring a replacement, as well as several other instances of breach of public trust and influence peddling around the state.
Emperor Madigan
Emperor Madigan
Chicago police unions are fighting to destroy decades of complaint records
Chicago police unions are fighting to destroy decades of complaint records
Tens of thousands of Chicago police misconduct files could be purged due to lawsuits filed by police unions.
What’s wrong with Illinois’ economy?
What’s wrong with Illinois’ economy?
Madigan’s economic record is one of failure, and the best he can say in his defense is that trying a new path would somehow make things worse.
Illinois considers privacy law while the state violates privacy of thousands
Illinois considers privacy law while the state violates privacy of thousands
While the state moves to impose costly new requirements on private businesses in the name of privacy, the state is itself violating the privacy of thousands of Illinoisans.
Illinois jails incarcerate many people who don’t need to be there in the first place
Illinois jails incarcerate many people who don’t need to be there in the first place
Illinois jails book over 2.6 times the number of people they did in 1981, costing taxpayers money and keeping many people who have not yet been convicted of crimes behind bars.
State Rep. Cassidy reintroduces marijuana decriminalization bill
State Rep. Cassidy reintroduces marijuana decriminalization bill
Twenty states and the District of Columbia have removed the threat of jail time for simple marijuana possession.
Illinois employers warn of 2,600 layoffs in coming months
Illinois employers warn of 2,600 layoffs in coming months
A state report shows plans for more layoffs amid an already difficult jobs climate in Illinois, especially for blue-collar workers.
Star Wars: Mos Eisley
Star Wars: Mos Eisley
Quote of the day, December 11
Quote of the day, December 11
Madigan wants to raise income taxes again
Madigan wants to raise income taxes again
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan says Illinois’ income taxes should be increased to at least 5 percent.
3 drivers causing police and firefighter pension costs to skyrocket in Elgin
3 drivers causing police and firefighter pension costs to skyrocket in Elgin
Diverting taxpayer dollars from pensions to salaries, underfunding pensions, and providing unsustainably high pension benefits have caused Elgin, Illinois’ combined police and firefighter pension shortfalls to double in just nine years to $180 million.
5 reasons Illinois government-worker pensions are unfair to taxpayers
5 reasons Illinois government-worker pensions are unfair to taxpayers
The outsized benefits received by retired government workers under the State Universities Retirement System and the unfair burden this places on taxpayers demonstrate the urgent need to reform Illinois’ government-worker pensions.