Chicago City Council votes to ban lobbying by elected leaders

12/20/2019

Chicago’s second round of anti-corruption rules restricts aldermen and city employees from working as lobbyists and stops other elected leaders from lobbying city government for private clients.

TAGS: bribery, Chicago, Chicago City Council, ComEd, corruption, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, ILGA: Illinois General Assembly, John Cullerton, Larry Suffredin, lawmakers, lobbying, Lori Lightfoot, Luis Arroyo, Michael Zalewski, Michele Smith, Mike Madigan, ordinance, Springfield, Terry Link

Chicago suburbs raided by FBI have ties to Madigan’s son

By Austin Berg

10/27/2019

Four municipalities targeted in a sweeping corruption probe have all contracted with Alliant/Mesirow, where House Speaker Mike Madigan’s son works to secure insurance deals with local governments.

TAGS: corruption, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, JB Pritzker, Jeff Tobolski, Lyons, Martin Sandoval, McCook, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, red light cameras, SafeSpeed, Schiller Park

Federal agents looking for Madigan documents in ComEd probe

By Austin Berg

10/24/2019

As previously undisclosed subpoena adds another angle to federal agents’ activity surrounding the longtime House speaker and chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

TAGS: City Club of Chicago, ComEd, corruption, FBI: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jay Doherty, JB Pritzker, Kevin Quinn, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

FBI, IRS continue raids by targeting 3 village offices in Cook County

By Vincent Caruso

09/27/2019

Federal agents raided the offices of three suburban villages, including one governed by a mayor who doubles as a Cook County commissioner. All three are in the district of state Sen. Martin Sandoval, also the subject of a federal raid.

TAGS: capital bill, capital project, Christopher Getty, corruption, Jay Hoffman, Jeff Tobolski, Kevin Quinn, Lyons, Martin Sandoval, McCook, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Tom Cullerton

Feds investigating lobbyist checks cut to fired Madigan political lieutenant

By Austin Berg

07/25/2019

Further details are emerging in the wake of May raids on longtime allies of Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.

TAGS: corruption, Marty Quinn, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

FBI raids home of Madigan confidant in third search surrounding the speaker

By Austin Berg

07/18/2019

Do federal authorities have their sights set on the longest-serving state legislative leader in American history?

TAGS: Kevin Quinn, Madigan & Getzendanner, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, Mike McClain

Illinois House committee passes progressive income tax rates without public notice

By Bryce Hill, Austin Berg

05/25/2019

In a party-line vote that even fellow lawmakers were unaware of, Illinois House Democrats passed out of committee a progressive income tax rate structure that would take effect should Gov. J.B. Pritzker succeed in scrapping Illinois’ constitutional flat income tax protection.

TAGS: corporate income tax, fair tax, graduated income tax, income tax, JB Pritzker, Margo McDermed, Michael Zalewski, progressive income tax, taxes

Craft liquor may catch on quicker if Illinois changes law

04/15/2019

Illinois House passes bill to open up opportunities for the craft distillery industry, freeing entrepreneurs to grow to meet growing demand.

TAGS: jobs, Jonathan Carroll, Liquor Control Act, Michael Zalewski, Tom Demmer

Illinois House bill would stop local governments from pushing out Airbnb

03/06/2019

New Illinois House bill would prevent local governments from banning Airbnb and other vacation rental services.

TAGS: Airbnb, home rule, homesharing, Michael Zalewski, sharing economy

Madigan’s alderman moves to squash Airbnb near Midway Airport

By Vincent Caruso

12/19/2017

Chicago Alderman Marty Quinn is attempting to squeeze out home-sharing in the 13th Ward.

TAGS: Airbnb, homesharing, Marty Quinn, Michael Zalewski, Mike Madigan, sharing economy