Mapes corruption conviction again shows need for 4 Illinois ethics reforms

By Joe Tabor

08/26/2023

Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s former chief of staff and confidant was found guilty of perjury. His conviction is a reminder Springfield has a long way to go on ethics reform.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, Tim Mapes

Former Madigan chief of staff found guilty on perjury charges

By Dylan Sharkey

08/24/2023

Tim Mapes, former chief of staff to ousted Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, was convicted on perjury and obstruction of justice charges.

TAGS: Mike Madigan, Tim Mapes

‘ComEd Four’ defendant convicted in bribery scheme could keep pension

By Patrick Andriesen

05/05/2023

Officials at the General Assembly Retirement System suspended Michael McClain’s legislative pension after he was convicted on nine counts of bribery in the ‘ComEd Four’ trial. Precedent suggests it may not be permanent.

TAGS: ComEd, Mike Madigan

‘ComEd 4’ found guilty on all counts in scheme to bribe Michael Madigan

By Patrick Andriesen

05/02/2023

The four top lobbyists and executives at the state’s largest electric utility were convicted May 2 for their involvement in a multi-year scheme to funnel $1.3 million in jobs, contracts and payments to sway the former Illinois House Speaker.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

ComEd 4 trial shows why fixing Illinois House Rules vital to stop next Madigan

By Joe Tabor

03/31/2023

The ComEd 4 corruption trial proves concentrated power breeds corruption. The fix? Reform the rules former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan crafted to concentrate all that power.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Illinois House backslides toward Madigan-era rules

By Joe Tabor

03/14/2023

The Illinois House has rolled back reforms made to its House Rules that govern how it conducts business in the wake of the Madigan Com-Ed scandal. New boss, same as the old boss?

TAGS: Illinois House of Representatives, Illinois House Rules, Mike Madigan, The Illinois House

4 steps to rid Illinois Statehouse of Madigan’s corrupt legacy

By Joe Tabor

01/19/2023

Now that the 103rd Illinois General Assembly is sworn in, an early order of business will be to establish the rules of the chambers. Those rules need more reform to ensure another Mike Madigan doesn’t gather too much power.

TAGS: house rules, Mike Madigan

Madigan pleads not guilty to corruption charges

By Dylan Sharkey

11/02/2022

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his co-defendant, Michael McClain, denied all corruption accusations brought against them. Federal prosecutors said Madigan used his position to run a criminal enterprise.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

Madigan’s arraignment over AT&T bribery charges set for Nov. 1

By Patrick Andriesen

10/25/2022

Michael Madigan, former Illinois House speaker, and his longtime political ally and operative will enter pleas in federal court Nov. 1. They are charged with coercing bribes from AT&T in return for passing favorable legislation in Springfield.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

AT&T Illinois fined $23 million for buying Madigan influence

By Dylan Sharkey

10/18/2022

AT&T Illinois will pay a $23 million fine for illegally influencing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Their former president, Paul La Schiazza, faces conspiracy charges.

TAGS: Mike Madigan

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