Joe Tabor, Illinois Policy Institute News
Illinois licensing makes escaping poverty harder than in other Midwestern states
Illinois could make it easier to escape poverty by letting more people work without first getting a license. Six neighboring states do a better job of easing occupational licensing on low-income professions.
Illinois can fight poverty by reducing excessive regulations that limit jobs
Data from the Mercatus Center shows Illinois faces a high regulatory burden at both the federal and state level. Research shows these regulations place a disproportionately high burden on the poor, helping to keep them in poverty.
There is no longer cash bail in Illinois. What happens now?
After litigation delaying its implementation, the full provisions of Illinois’ SAFE-T Act went into effect on Sept. 18. Here’s what to expect.
Mapes corruption conviction again shows need for 4 Illinois ethics reforms
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.
What to expect when cash bail ends in Illinois
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled ending cash bail is constitutional. What does that mean for Illinois? It means ready or not, the system changes Sept. 18.
4 ways Springfield should combat 'Comed 4' corruption
A jury found all “ComEd Four” defendants guilty of bribing Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan in exchange for favorable legislation. It was an alarm for Springfield lawmakers that half-measures don’t work and lasting ethics reform is needed in Illinois.
ComEd 4 trial shows why fixing Illinois House rules vital to stop next Madigan
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.
Illinois House backslides toward Madigan-era rules
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?
4 steps to rid Illinois statehouse of Madigan's corrupt legacy
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.
Illinois voters got just 1 proposed constitutional amendment on ballot in 52 years
During the past decade, state lawmakers have asked to change the Illinois Constitution six times while voters have failed to get any changes on the ballot. In 52 years, Illinoisans have only gotten one amendment question before voters. That needs to change.
After 2 years, it's time to limit Pritzker's emergency powers
March 12 marks two years of life under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s emergency powers. It is time lawmakers had a say in how long those powers last.
Illinois teachers unions fight to keep kids masked
A Sangamon County judge temporarily ended Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s school mask mandate, and Pritzker’s appeal of that ruling lost. Yet the fight showed Illinois teachers unions want kids masked statewide on Pritzker’s say-so alone.
Illinois has been subject to Pritzker's emergency powers for nearly 22 months; Where does this power come from?
Illinois’ emergency management statute grants the governor broad powers to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the General Assembly has shown no interest in amending it.
Amendment 1 could make it harder to root out corruption in Illinois
With additional protection in the Illinois Constitution, state employees and even public officials could be shielded from discipline and corruption reforms thwarted.
Democrats pass gerrymandered Congressional map no. 4
Illinois Democrats finally passed the fourth draft of their congressional district map after earlier versions prompted criticism from the Hispanic community and even fellow Democrats. A university gave several versions an “F.”
Amendment 1 would take away taxpayers' voice in state government
The proposed constitutional amendment would put union contracts above the interests of future taxpayers and voters
Illinois ethics reform uncertain after House rejects Pritzker's amendatory veto
Illinois made an important first step in its break with the corrupt practices that defined the legislative process under former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan. New ethics rules about lobbying, financial disclosures and the legislative watchdog were passed in the final hours of the session, but the reforms may die after the House rejected a technical change to the legislation by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Pritzker OKs gerrymandered maps, breaking promise to end partisan games
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Democrats’ partisan legislative and judicial redistricting plans. He had repeatedly promised to veto any maps drawn by state lawmakers for their own benefit.
Illinois is under 'extreme' threat of drawing another Madigan election map
Illinois is listed as one of the states under ‘extreme’ danger of partisan gerrymandering of its state legislative and congressional redistricting maps. Gov. J.B. Pritzker can stop that threat.
Speaker Welch says Illinois’ financial disclosure forms are ‘worthless’
The new speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives referred to state lawmakers’ statements of economic interest forms as confusing and a ‘worthless piece of document.’ They can be fixed.