Good Government | Illinois Policy

Illinois Corruption Watch: December 2014

The residential-center horror stories demonstrate that corruption in government often hurts the most vulnerable among us. It also shows that exposing those injustices can lead to change.

By Brian Costin

Rauner enacts transparency reforms by executive order

Executive order regarding posting of new hires signals possible shift in government transparency under new administration.

By Brian Costin

Quinn finds millions for dog parks, disc golf and bathhouses

Gov. Pat Quinn doled out $24 million in taxpayer money during his last days in office.

By Brian Costin

Illinois’ 5 best new laws of 2015

Five reforms effective Jan. 1, 2015 will improve government transparency and protect individual rights:

By Bryant Jackson-Green

Illinois Policy victories: 2014 in review

Tax relief, worker freedom and a health-care win have set the stage for an Illinois comeback in years to come.

By Jane McEnaney

Harvard study ranks Illinois among most corrupt states

The state’s entrenched culture of cronyism is blindingly clear, especially to those who report on it for a living.

By Brian Costin

Illinois Corruption Watch: November 2014

In November, 13 of 53 Corruption Watch stories were related to policies and actions of criminal-justice authorities in Illinois.

By Brian Costin

Montgomery County superintendents consider sales-tax hike

Superintendents in Nokomis Community School District 22 are gearing up to push for a county-wide sales-tax hike.

By Brian Costin

5 reasons FOIA bill would crush government watchdogs in corrupt Illinois

HB 3796 would hamstring watchdogs in a state riddled with corruption. Lawmakers should let Quinn’s veto stand.

By Brian Costin

School districts plot sales-tax hike for DeKalb County

If a school facilities sales tax referendum was passed in DeKalb County, the 0.25 percent sales-tax rate could rise to 1.25 percent, a 400 percent increase.

By Brian Costin

Illinois Supreme Court dismisses challenge to red-light cameras

In a strange turn of events, the Illinois Supreme Court on Nov. 20 dismissed a challenge to Chicago’s red-light camera program.

By Bryant Jackson-Green

Days after Jersey County voters reject tax hike, school board tries again

While school districts can place sales-tax referendums on the ballot every election, once sales-tax hikes are enacted, voters can never initiate a referendum to repeal them.

By Brian Costin

Veto session week 1 recap: minimum-wage hike, mandatory caregiver training still up for grabs

Ridesharing regulations, ObamaCare exchange and extension of the 2011 tax hikes all lay dormant.

By Donovan Griffith

4 Illinois municipalities earn Sunshine award, multiple municipalities fail government transparency audit

Wilmette is a fantastic example of a community going above and beyond to promote online transparency for citizens.

By Brian Costin