Good Government

Editorial: State lawmakers in Springfield pass bill to cut off competition in 78 races

Editorial: State lawmakers in Springfield pass bill to cut off competition in 78 races

Why did SB 2412 need to pass on May 2, in the middle of the election cycle, weeks after the primary election but still well ahead of the November general election? Many candidates had already started the complicated process of petition gathering and paperwork under the old rules. What justifies changing those rules in the middle of the game?

By Hilary Gowins

Leslie Collazo

Leslie Collazo

On May 2, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed an election law change in the middle of a campaign year. It ends “slating,” a process through which candidates could be put on the general election ballot by local parties after the primary election. There are 78 active Statehouse races affected, many with potential candidates who had put...

Bill would broaden Illinois agency’s emergency powers

Bill would broaden Illinois agency’s emergency powers

A bill expanding emergency powers for a state agency passed the Illinois Senate and is in the Illinois House. Gov. J.B. Pritzker declared COVID-19 an emergency for more than 3 years, so why is the bill needed?

By Dylan Sharkey

Opinion: Brandon Johnson’s ‘moderate’ problem

Opinion: Brandon Johnson’s ‘moderate’ problem

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson faces many challenges, but his biggest may be the loss of faith from moderate voters. Without their trust, he’ll have a tough time getting the higher taxes he seeks March 19.

By Hilary Gowins

The Policy Shop: Brandon Johnson’s sinking mayorship

The Policy Shop: Brandon Johnson’s sinking mayorship

This edition of The Policy Shop is by assistant editor Dylan Sharkey. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson just barely won the city election less than a year ago, with about 26,500 of the city’s nearly 1.6 million registered voters handing him the race. A lot has changed since then, and voters are much more polarized in their views...