Think Illinois spends millions on migrants? Wrong. It spends billions.
Think Illinois spends millions on migrants? Wrong. It spends billions.
Illinois will have spent over $2.5 billion on migrant care by the end of 2025. Costs have shattered projections and left taxpayers poorer.
By Ravi Mishra
Vallas: Pritzker for president? Check that Illinois baggage.
Vallas: Pritzker for president? Check that Illinois baggage.
As Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker positions himself as the foil to President Donald Trump, a look at his record as governor is telling. What it is telling is not good.
By Paul Vallas
Too much local government makes Illinois inefficient, raises property taxes
Too much local government makes Illinois inefficient, raises property taxes
Illinois is the most inefficient state in the Midwest and the 14th-most inefficient in the country. That’s driven in part by excessive units of local government – more than in any other state. High property taxes are one result.
By Chris Coffey
Illinois townships vote to fix pensions, gerrymandering and unfunded mandates
Illinois townships vote to fix pensions, gerrymandering and unfunded mandates
Illinois townships are sounding the alarm on the state’s biggest issues. Eight townships voted in support of state lawmakers fixing the state’s pensions crisis, gerrymandering and unfunded mandates.
By Dylan Sharkey
Why is taking a selfie with your ballot illegal in Illinois?
Why is taking a selfie with your ballot illegal in Illinois?
Sharing your civic duty on Instagram or Facebook could mean jail time. Snapping a picture with your ballot and sharing it is a felony in Illinois.
By Dylan Sharkey
5 bills to push back against Illinois’ culture of political corruption
5 bills to push back against Illinois’ culture of political corruption
Legislation in the Illinois House would empower inspectors general, restrict lobbying by elected leaders, add protections against conflicts of interest and end last-minute amendments to legislation.
By Joe Tabor
How to vote in your April 1 election
How to vote in your April 1 election
Groceries, schools and public safety are all affected by local elections taking place April 1. Here’s what to know.
By Dylan Sharkey
How to stop unfair elections in Illinois
How to stop unfair elections in Illinois
Some Illinois voters April 1 will tell state lawmakers what to do about some of the state’s most pressing problems. One of the issues is the process of deciding legislative and congressional districts. Here’s what to know about gerrymandering.
By Dylan Sharkey
Felon Madigan should repay taxpayers nearly $600K for public pension
Felon Madigan should repay taxpayers nearly $600K for public pension
Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan was convicted of misusing his public office for his own power and profit. Not only should his public pension be halted, he should repay the nearly $600,000 taxpayers already paid the felon.
Madigan is latest as Illinois averages 1 corruption conviction a week – for 40 years
Madigan is latest as Illinois averages 1 corruption conviction a week – for 40 years
Corruption in Illinois is on a weekly basis. The state averaged more than one corruption conviction per week from 1983-2023, which marked the start of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s leadership.
By Dylan Sharkey
Former Illinois House Speaker Madigan guilty of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud
Former Illinois House Speaker Madigan guilty of bribery, conspiracy, wire fraud
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was convicted of using his office to run an illegal enterprise. Madigan was the longest-serving legislative leader in U.S. history.
By Dylan Sharkey
Vallas: Illinois’ woes say more about Pritzker, Johnson than Trump
Vallas: Illinois’ woes say more about Pritzker, Johnson than Trump
Illinois leaders have built a legacy of massive government spending deficits, extortionate taxes, marauding criminals and failing schools. Instead of Trump-proofing Illinois, maybe we need to Pritzker- and Johnson-proof it.
By Paul Vallas