Cook, Madison, St. Clair counties rank among nation’s top ‘judicial hellholes’
Cook, Madison, St. Clair counties rank among nation’s top ‘judicial hellholes’
A trio of Illinois counties are known for being plaintiff friendly, especially for asbestos and no-injury biometric screening cases. COVID-19 liability is expected to fill future court dockets.
By Brad Weisenstein
Illinois lawmakers want voters to have recall power over Madigan
Illinois lawmakers want voters to have recall power over Madigan
Two state lawmakers want to amend the Illinois Constitution so voters can recall elected leaders. There is a simpler path to fix the state’s corruption.
Pritzker fighting to keep political hiring reports under wraps
Pritzker fighting to keep political hiring reports under wraps
The lawyers who over 50 years ago started the fight against political patronage in Springfield and Chicago are arguing Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration is not ready to lose federal oversight of hiring. Efforts to hide hiring records prove that point, they said.
By Brad Weisenstein
Madigan tells Black lawmakers his strong leadership needed for tax hike, legislative map
Madigan tells Black lawmakers his strong leadership needed for tax hike, legislative map
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan made a pitch for keeping his leadership despite a federal corruption probe. He told Black state lawmakers he can deliver a tax hike and a new legislative map, again favoring Democrats.
Emails detail Madigan’s use of ComEd as crony job service
Emails detail Madigan’s use of ComEd as crony job service
Emails between indicted former employees of ComEd show hiring at the company was based on what Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan wanted.
Madigan leadership team member becomes 19th vote opposing him as House speaker
Madigan leadership team member becomes 19th vote opposing him as House speaker
Enough Illinois House Democrats already said they would vote to end Mike Madigan’s 35 years as speaker but losing a party leader will make it much more difficult for him to retain power.
By Brad Weisenstein
Pritzker demands answers from Madigan as more Illinois lawmakers seek resignation
Pritzker demands answers from Madigan as more Illinois lawmakers seek resignation
Madigan already had lost enough support to end his 35-year run as House speaker, but the gap continued to widen as Illinois’ governor added his rebuke.
Madigan opposition hits critical mass as his confidant, 3 others charged in ComEd bribery scandal
Madigan opposition hits critical mass as his confidant, 3 others charged in ComEd bribery scandal
The indictments are the closest yet to Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s inner circle. Now enough Democrats are pledging they won’t support him to cost him the speaker’s gavel.
Madigan’s legacy of corruption will survive his downfall, unless …
Madigan’s legacy of corruption will survive his downfall, unless …
After decades under Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s rule, Illinois is corroding from his concentration of power. Robust ethics laws, rules and norms could stop a new Madigan from rising.
By Joe Tabor
Man who recorded Madigan, led Burke charges, pleads guilty
Man who recorded Madigan, led Burke charges, pleads guilty
A Chinatown developer made the recording in 2014, which is still a piece to a lengthy federal investigation.
Pritzker renews push to end federal oversight of state hiring
Pritzker renews push to end federal oversight of state hiring
The federal court system has been watching Illinois for patronage hiring since 1972. There’s little evidence the problem is fixed.
Pritzker, other top Democrats want Madigan out as party leader
Pritzker, other top Democrats want Madigan out as party leader
On the heels of losing his signature “fair tax,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wants House Speaker Mike Madigan out as the state Democratic leader. Both U.S. senators also make that call.
Kilbride is first Illinois Supreme Court justice to lose retention vote
Kilbride is first Illinois Supreme Court justice to lose retention vote
After receiving $550,000 from Madigan’s Democratic Party of Illinois campaign committee, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride lost his bid to continue on the court. He is the first justice voters failed to retain.
By Joe Tabor
Pritzker closes indoor dining throughout Illinois starting Nov. 4
Pritzker closes indoor dining throughout Illinois starting Nov. 4
All of Illinois will be under tighter restrictions starting Wednesday, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker imposing an indoor dining ban as his answer to the spread of COVID-19.