Illinois General Assembly
State Government: Elected Officials | State Legislative Bodies
Recent News About Illinois General Assembly
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Magicians: How Illinois politicians made $1.2 billion in budget deficits disappear
If you want to understand Illinois’ corrupt budget making process, take the example of how the legislature just “cleaned up” some of its unaccounted-for budget deficits. -
For Speaker Madigan, when do drips become a flood?
A few brave souls have come forward with their stories about the behavior under Madigan’s dome. But how many still feel powerless? -
State legislature passes bill that reshapes Republican-controlled board in Metro-East
Democrat lawmakers pushed a bill through Springfield last week that will reshape a local government board under Republican control. -
A budget for lawmakers, not Illinoisans
Earlier this week, Wirepoints warned that the eerie silence in Springfield augured bad news for Illinoisans. Sadly, we were right. -
No fight over the budget is bad for Illinoisans
Illinois media is widely reporting that no news on Illinois’ budget negotiations is good news – that a quiet battleground in the statehouse means all is well. Especially after a nasty near three year impasse between Gov. Bruce Rauner and House Speaker Mike Madigan. -
In a shrinking state, Census sheds light on struggling cities
Rich Roth didn’t think his story would go viral. But a Facebook post with his photo and a quote from the longtime Clinton, Illinois, resident has reached more than 800,000 people since May 21, with more than 10,000 reactions and 8,000 shares. -
Illinois Supreme Court ruling a victory for government transparency
The court’s ruling strengthens Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act, a crucial tool in holding government officials accountable. -
Who does Illinois’ Civic Federation really champion?
Glance at the list of the Civic Federation’s Trustees and you’ll see a collection of Illinois corporate titans. Many of the 16 men and one woman are CEOs, heads of private equity, chairs of boards, investors or hugely successful entrepreneurs. -
Get your act together, Springfield
As the scheduled end of the spring legislative session nears, Illinois government is without its most important tool to manage the taxpayers’ money and provide the services needed for our most vulnerable citizens: the budget. -
Lawmakers to homeowners: 'You'll get nothing and like it'
In a matter of hours, Illinoisans saw bipartisan opposition to property tax relief and bipartisan support for higher property taxes. -
Fair Maps Amendment not called for vote, deadline passes to place it on November 2018 ballot
Illinois voters will not get a chance to weigh in on the question of whether Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and other legislative leaders in the Democratic-controlled Illinois General Assembly should continue to hold the keys to drawing the state's legislative district maps, after the leaders of the state House and Senate refused to call a vote for a constitutional amendment designed to curtail their influence over the process. -
Illinois House approves required $40,000 salary for teachers
Some Illinois lawmakers are on board with a plan to require school boards to pay starting teachers $40,000 a year without providing additional funding for districts. -
The bipartisan bullies of township government
A great deal of what’s wrong in Illinois government can be explained by a socioeconomic theory called “concentrated benefits and diffuse costs.” -
Madigan re-elected Chairman of Illinois Democratic Party
The longtime House speaker is the only state legislative leader in the nation to also serve as a party chairman. -
Tax Freedom Day - just kidding
Federal income tax filings are due today. But while federal income taxes may make up the largest share of taxes the typical resident pays to the government, Illinoisans won’t find themselves free from the enormous burden of state and local taxes. -
The insanity in Harvey, Illinois
It’s happening. We've written about this before. It’s not one big blowup like the subprime crisis, but it is happening, and Harvey is part of it. -
Rauner must think twice before signing dangerous 5G 'small cell' wireless bill
The impact of Fifth Generation (5G) small cell wireless facility bills becoming law will mean: it does not matter who you are, how affluent you are, where you live, or who you know in "high places," a cell tower can soon be looming in your front yard. -
The ‘friendly’ tax hike taking shape in Springfield
In election season, some Illinois politicians are looking for ways to promise more revenue without inciting the rage of voters, who just saw the largest permanent income tax hike in state history last summer. -
Governor abolishes boards and committees, includes medical apology program that never was
An executive order abolishing various bodies and committees was signed Friday, a move made to streamline government and save costs, according to Gov. Bruce Rauner's office. -
Civic Federation: State 'lost' billions in revenue by foregoing taxes on retirement income
A Chicago think tank says Illinois is losing out on billions of dollars in revenue by not taxing retirement income.