FBI seizes files as Chicago aldermen oust oversight
FBI seizes files as Chicago aldermen oust oversight
Chicago aldermen are now operating without a city watchdog.
Illinois Corruption Watch: October 2015
Illinois Corruption Watch: October 2015
October saw a former Chicago Public Schools CEO plead guilty to wire fraud and several other instances of criminal charges and civil lawsuits against public officials, as well as crony deals between businesses and government.
Coal City Community Unit School District 1 earns an A for the Sunshine Award
Coal City Community Unit School District 1 earns an A for the Sunshine Award
By creating a website with easily accessible information about the district’s governance, meeting schedule, employees, budget and other functions, Coal City Community Unit School District 1 scores high marks for government transparency.
Illinois needs term limits
Illinois needs term limits
Illinois should adopt term limits for its elected officials to diminish the unchecked power of career politicians such as House Speaker Mike Madigan.
Rauner signs law axing golden parachutes at community colleges
Rauner signs law axing golden parachutes at community colleges
The new law ensures public oversight of lucrative contracts, such as the one granted to embattled College of DuPage President Robert Breuder.
Evanston Public Library second in Illinois to win Sunshine Award
Evanston Public Library second in Illinois to win Sunshine Award
The Evanston Public Libray is a fantastic example of a local-government body going above and beyond to promote online transparency for residents.
What happens when Illinois taxpayers refused to be ignored
What happens when Illinois taxpayers refused to be ignored
All is not lost in the Land of Lincoln.
Rauner signs law shining light on government golden parachutes
Rauner signs law shining light on government golden parachutes
The new law is designed to expose severance agreements like the one given to controversial College of DuPage President Robert Breuder.
Madigan and power
Madigan and power
In the history of the United States, no one has led a state legislative body longer than Mike Madigan.
Springfield’s panhandling prohibition struck down as violation of freedom of speech
Springfield’s panhandling prohibition struck down as violation of freedom of speech
The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that Springfield’s ban on panhandling unconstitutionally discriminated against certain kinds of speech.
Attitude adjustment: Rauner signs bill axing pay raises for Illinois lawmakers
Attitude adjustment: Rauner signs bill axing pay raises for Illinois lawmakers
No budget, no raise.
Secret emails at University of Illinois show need for reformed FOIA requirements
Secret emails at University of Illinois show need for reformed FOIA requirements
Governments and government agencies should adopt policies that prohibit officials from using their personal email addresses to conduct government business.
Madigan manipulated ballot question to help re-elect Quinn
Madigan manipulated ballot question to help re-elect Quinn
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan admitted that he rigged a minimum-wage ballot question to boost former Gov. Pat Quinn’s re-election chances.
4 reforms to prevent abuse of discretion in child-welfare system
4 reforms to prevent abuse of discretion in child-welfare system
Child-welfare system reforms proposed in a new report from the Family Defense Center would prevent unjust findings of inadequate supervision.