Campaigns & Elections News

Replay of anti-gerrymandering court win in N.C. not necessarily best option for IL reforms, policy advocate says

A state court in North Carolina has struck down a gerrymandered legislative district map, becomign the second state whose courts have used a provision also found in Illinois' state constitution to invalidate a district map favoring Republicans.

By Karen Kidd | Oct 9, 2019

Campaigns & Elections

Cook County Clerk Yarbrough accused of hiring poltical friends, soliciting donations, violating court decrees

Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough could face a federal crackdown on her hiring practices since she was elected last year.

By Jonathan Bilyk | Sep 11, 2019

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Anne Burke, wife of indicted Chicago alderman, selected next chief justice of Illinois Supreme Court

By Cook County Record | Sep 11, 2019

Anne Burke, an Illinois Supreme Court justice who has served on the court since 2006, and the wife of indicted Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, has been selected by her fellow justices to serve as the new chief justice of the state’s high court.

Comptroller's order on prevailing wage a political move: Attorney

By John Breslin | Aug 29, 2019

An order cementing the state's commitment to enforcing prevailing wage laws is a way to keep the trade unions on the side of Democratic state officials, according to a lawyer with expertise in defending companies on labor matters.

Madigan wins again: Lawsuit vs Speaker over 'dirty tricks' canned; Voters knew, voted for Madigan anyway, judge says

By Jonathan Bilyk | Aug 23, 2019

A man who claimed his campaign to unseat Illinois’ most powerful legislator was shortcircuited by sham candidates planted on the ballot to dilute the Hispanic vote can’t continue to press his lawsuit against Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan over those dirty tricks, because voters had ample knowledge of the shady tactics, yet still chose to elect Madigan anyway, a federal judge has ruled.

Appeals court says IL Auditor Mautino subject to fines for alleged campaign finance violations

By Dan Churney | Aug 21, 2019

An Illinois appeals court ruled the Illinois Board of Elections should consider fining Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino for alleged campaign finance irregularities, committed while Mautino was a state representative.

Judge: Union, Cook Circuit Clerk can't exclude federal hiring monitors from grievance proceedings

By Scott Holland | Aug 21, 2019

A federal judge said the Cook County Circuit Clerk can be forced to subject union grievance proceedings and other collective bargaining issues to federal oversight, to make sure politics is not improperly guiding employee disciplinary decisions.

Taxpayer suit says state constitution drafters would be 'horrified' to see long-term debt issued to fund Illinois’ structural budget deficits

By Dan Churney | Aug 14, 2019

Plaintiffs suing to bar Illinois' government from treating borrowing like tax revenue are asking a state judge for the chance to make the case that two state bond issues are illegal and prohibited by the Illinois State Constitution.

Industry groups: Statewide ban on ethylene oxide a 'sledgehammer,' would hurt IL economy, health care

By Jonathan Bilyk | Jul 31, 2019

Industry groups say they would oppose statewide ban on use of ethylene oxide, as proposed in new legislation from a suburban state senator, describing a ban as a "sledgehammer approach" that would harm the state economy and the U.S. health care system.

Gonzales alleges Madigan, allies ‘betrayed democracy’ with sham candidates in primary

By Dan Churney | Jul 22, 2019

An unsuccessful election opponent of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who is suing the speaker and his “minions” for allegedly running “sham” candidates to draw votes from him, is arguing that Madigan’s motion to toss the suit should be rejected because Madigan forces “debased” the voting process.

Judge finds IL lawmakers can't vote to decrease their own pay, could order back pay for legislators

By Scott Holland | Jul 3, 2019

A Cook County Circuit Judge has ruled the Illinois state constitution doesn’t allow state lawmakers’ pay to ever be withheld or furloughed, siding with two Democratic ex-state legislators who are demanding the state pay legislators for everything furloughed during the Great Recession, with cost-of-living increases.

Cook County Record