Although the battle for the budget drags on, there were several important legislative wins for Illinoisans in 2016 including criminal justice reform, averting tax hikes, and stopping Madigan’s agenda in the lame duck session.
If Democrats choose Madigan for the 17th time, he will be crowned the longest-serving House speaker in U.S. history.
Corruption from several public officials in Metro East underscores the need for more government transparency in the area.
November was a sad reminder of the corruption at various levels of Illinois government from retired House Speaker Denny Hastert to the small Village of Bellwood.
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan told reporters he has “overwhelming support” to be re-elected to his longtime post come January. Another two-year term would bring his total tenure as speaker of the House to 34 years.
Every dollar Madigan earns back for his corporate clients makes someone else’s property-tax bill go up.
Illinois voters sent a clear message to the longtime House speaker Nov. 8: “enough.”
WikiLeaks latest revelations show Emanuel tried to get top staffer a job inside the Clinton campaign. Government at all levels must be transparent and accessible to the public. The use of private email accounts flouts efforts to hold government accountable and expose corruption.
October’s headlines featured backroom deals and financial mismanagement, all at taxpayers’ expense.
Since 1994, members of The People’s Map — which sued to keep a legislative map reform amendment off Illinois’ November ballot — and their employers have given over $6.6 million to Friends of Michael J. Madigan, the Democratic Majority and the Democratic Party of Illinois, which House Speaker Mike Madigan chairs.
Illinoisans don’t vote to make Madigan the speaker of the House. That job belongs to their representatives.
The flexibility to use these large, transportation-related revenue sources for other emergencies is crucial.
A new ethics ruling prohibits aldermen from getting World Series tickets at face value — a perk not afforded to most of the public.
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s election to the speaker position in 16 of the last 17 legislative sessions is a testament to the loyalty he demands from his Democratic colleagues.