Testimony begins in former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke corruption trial

By Patrick Andriesen

11/20/2023

After serving more than half a century as a “fixture” on the Chicago City Council, former Ald. Edward Burke now faces 14 counts of federal corruption charges for allegedly abusing his finance chair position and aldermanic powers for personal gain.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption, Ed Burke

Report: Chicago area most corrupt in America

By Dylan Sharkey

11/07/2023

Chicago is the most corrupt metropolitan area in America for the fourth consecutive year and Illinois is the second-most corrupt state, according to a new report from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Corruption can cost Illinois taxpayers up to $550 million per year.

TAGS: Chicago, corruption

Illinois’ COVID disaster ends after 1,155 days

By Dylan Sharkey

05/09/2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s 42nd and final disaster proclamation has expired after 1,155 days in a state of emergency. Illinois was 1 of only 6 states still under emergency orders because of the pandemic.

TAGS: Commonwealth Edison, corruption

3 bills would punish corrupt politicians in Illinois

By Dylan Sharkey

03/02/2023

A package of anti-corruption bills were introduced in the Illinois Senate: one prohibits lawmakers from using campaign money to pay for legal defense, another fines felonious politicians $100,000 and one takes away their specialty license plates.

TAGS: corruption

Feds targeted these Illinois politicians for corruption in 2022

By Dylan Sharkey

12/26/2022

Illinois saw more than its fair share of corruption and misconduct again in 2022, but some politicians stood out in a crowded field.

TAGS: corruption, Illinois

Indicted Chicago alderman too ill to stand trial, OK to cast council votes

By Patrick Andriesen

11/15/2022

Chicago’s second-longest serving alderman is seeking a stay of prosecution on federal bribery charges, arguing she is “not medically fit to stand trial.” The plea comes eight days after Ald. Carrie Austin voted on the council floor to approve the city budget.

TAGS: Chicago City Council, corruption

Patronage oversight ends for Cook County assessor’s office

11/03/2022

On Nov. 1 a federal judge decided to end decades-long patronage hiring oversight of the Cook County assessor’s office. Cronyism and patronage remain in Illinois, despite some government offices escaping federal court oversight.

TAGS: Cook County assessor, corruption, Shakman decrees

Pritzker blind trust companies hold $20 billion in state contracts

By Dylan Sharkey

09/01/2022

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s blind trust of investments includes 12 different companies with $20 billion in state contracts since he took office.

TAGS: corruption, JB Pritzker

How to get more than your fair share from an Illinois pension

By Justin Carlson

08/05/2022

Illinois offers generous pensions to public workers, but some workers engage in legal schemes that give them more than their fair share. Here are some common Illinois pension games that taxpayers are forced to fund.

TAGS: corruption, pension reform, pensions

Disgraced Illinois lawmaker collected $130K pension while awaiting prison sentence

By Patrick Andriesen

06/02/2022

The former Illinois House assistant majority leader received a taxpayer-funded pension worth $129,000 between his retirement in 2019 after being arrested for bribery by federal authorities and his conviction in 2022.

TAGS: corruption, Luis Arroyo, pensions

Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

Illinois finds itself at a crossroads: will it empower minorities and poor people to unleash their potential, or will it perpetuate an inequitable status quo? For far too many Illinoisans, opportunity is unfairly and unnecessarily out of reach. Illinois ranks in the bottom ten among all states in social mobility and last among Midwest states...

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Unlocking Opportunity: How Occupational Licensing Reform Would Promote Equitable Empowerment in Illinois

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Brandi Lentz

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students