Welcome to the dysfunction of Illinois government
I walked into the Thompson Center on my first day, not knowing what to expect. In many ways, my new workplace was like any other large organization: big building, thousands...
All Stories
Property taxes: Where is all that money going?
If you are one of the few people who has the stomach to read your property tax bill, I share your pain. And confusion. And frustration. I live in suburban...
When Mother’s Day is a hardship
At the top of Frost Hill at the Morton Arboretum is a young pine tree with long, bushy needles. It is only a few years old but already stands more...
Must be fun to be an Illinois lawmaker these days
Some people say Illinois politics is mired in gridlock and that nothing is getting done these days. That's not fair, though. Illinois lawmakers have been plenty busy. After two years...
Do the Democrats in Springfield really need a bargain?
For almost two years, we've heard a litany of excuses for why Illinois does not have a state budget. Rauner is holding the budget hostage for his extreme agenda! Bipartisan...
Wake up, Bruce Rauner. Bring back Illinois.
Bruce Rauner barnstormed his way to the governor's office by promising to "shake up Springfield." Now it seems he has a new mantra: Don't rock the boat. A bipartisan cartel...
The General Assembly without Madigan? Imagine the possibilities
"What would Illinois be like if we had different political leadership?" It's midafternoon on a weekday, and Illinois Rep. Christian Mitchell is on the other end of the phone. He...
What Trump, Congress can do for Illinois in 2017
Illinois' pension debt skyrocketed this year to $130 billion, up from $111 billion in 2015. To put this problem in context: By the time you finish reading this article, the...
Distraught by Trump’s win? Advocate for smaller government
The election was a week ago, and the half of the voters who didn't vote for Donald Trump are still dumbfounded by the half who did. A Los Angeles Times...
Theo Epstein for mayor, to fix Chicago’s mess
In the battle between the Chicago Teachers Union and Mayor Rahm Emanuel, it's clear whom we should root for: the Cubs. Teachers are contemplating hitting the picket lines. If they...