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Monday, March 18, 2024

Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute News


Madigan suspends campaign for House Speaker

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
The most powerful speaker in American history may finally be stepping aside amid a wide-ranging federal corruption probe.

Investigation shows Madigan had heavy hand in filling state jobs for Pritzker

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
Illinois public servants expect special privileges. And Gov. J.B. Pritzker is happy to oblige.

Illinois budget includes automatic $1,800 pay raise for state lawmakers

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
With more than 1.1 million Illinoisans out of work, some of the highest-paid state lawmakers in the nation are in line for a raise – though some are fighting back.

Property taxes turning American dreams into nightmares

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
Visions of the community’s future no longer bring comfort. Instead, they inspire crippling fear.

Why the soda tax 'worked' and the progressive tax won't

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
There’s no doubt: the county taxed soda more, so people bought less of it. It’s a simple lesson. So why doesn’t Springfield get it?

Trump commutes Blagojevich's sentence; Former governor was charged with attempting to sell Obama's 'golden' Senate seat

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
President Donald Trump has commuted the federal prison sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the president told reporters Tuesday.

Illinoisans want cleaner state government more than great schools, less crime

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
A common misconception in Illinois is that voters are numb to this reality. But polling released this week, commissioned by the Illinois Education Association, shows that’s not true.

Madigan celebrates 35th year as Illinois House Speaker

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
Illinoisans will soon cast a vote on the biggest ballot question in the history of Madigan’s record-breaking speakership.

Indiana is building far more single family homes than Illinois

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
The historic change comes as skyrocketing property tax bills eat into Illinois homeowners’ bottom line.

Nine new Illinois taxes totaling $1 billion take effect Jan. 1

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
Nearly half of the 20 tax and fee hikes passed to support a record $40 billion state budget and $45 billion infrastructure plan hit on New Year’s Day.

A decade after recession, Illinois' construction industry is ice cold

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
Why is Illinois construction so weak? As it turns out, big government programs can’t paper over weak fundamentals.

FBI asking about Madigan money, political clout in corruption investigation

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
There is little doubt the FBI is targeting the longtime House speaker and Democratic political boss in their sweeping investigation of Illinois corruption.

Senate President John Cullerton set to collect $2 million pension

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
Due to a pension sweetener available only to veteran Illinois lawmakers, Cullerton’s annual pension will soon be more than he ever made from his Statehouse salary.

Leaked emails from federal investigation reveal Madigan as 'Himself'

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
Federal authorities have obtained phone calls and emails from a key member of Madigan's political inner circle. Now that information is leaking.

Senate President Cullerton announces retirement amid sweeping Illinois corruption probe

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
Cullerton and House Speaker Mike Madigan have held office in the Illinois General Assembly for nearly 90 years combined.

2019 Illinois corruption tracker

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
Illinois is the second-most corrupt state in the nation, according to the University of Illinois-Chicago. And corruption costs the state economy at least $550 million per year. But the size and scope of government corruption is nothing new for Illinoisans.

Illinois assistant majority leader arrested on federal bribery charge

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
State Rep. Luis Arroyo was a key supporter of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s $45 billion infrastructure package, which was funded in part by a gambling expansion and doubling the state’s gas tax.

Was corruption at the heart of the Illinois gas tax hike?

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
The target, state Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, is as clouted as they come.

Local pension bailout would make Illinoisans' income tax bills rise as fast as their property taxes

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
Bailouts reward bad behavior. Reform rewards residents. Lawmakers should bend toward the latter.

Only in Illinois: Wife of indicted political boss will hold highest judicial post in the state

By Austin Berg, Illinois Policy Institute |
What would appear to many Illinoisans as glaring conflicts of interest over the years have not appeared to raise red flags for the new chief justice.