Report: Chicago area most corrupt in nation
Report: Chicago area most corrupt in nation
Chicagoland and northern Illinois have seen more corrupt public officials put behind bars than any other part of the nation, an analysis found.
Madigan aides sought out, assisted alleged ‘sham’ candidates in primary election
Madigan aides sought out, assisted alleged ‘sham’ candidates in primary election
Madigan’s 2016 primary opponent filed a lawsuit alleging the House speaker recruited “sham” candidates in order to dilute opposition.
Proposed amendment would place term limits on top Illinois lawmakers
Proposed amendment would place term limits on top Illinois lawmakers
A lawmaker would only be allowed to serve in the powerful role of Illinois House speaker for a maximum of eight years under a proposed constitutional amendment recently introduced in the General Assembly.
Feds drilling to the core of Illinois power, politics
Feds drilling to the core of Illinois power, politics
What’s important for Illinoisans to know now is not just whether politically powerful people such as Burke and Madigan broke the law, but how the law itself encourages indecent behavior.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Madigan’s power runs deeper than the speaker vote
Madigan’s power runs deeper than the speaker vote
Many things have changed in state government during the past 36 years. Madigan has held constant.
Madigan re-elected to 18th term as Illinois House Speaker
Madigan re-elected to 18th term as Illinois House Speaker
The longtime speaker has held the gavel for 34 of the past 36 years, and maintains procedural powers unheard of in other states.