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MORE METRA MESS It started with allegations of clout-peddling that led to secret severance payout of more than $700,000. New revelations this week from the Associated Press and a state task force shows the patronage train rolled on into state government after it left Metra and that serving riders was an afterthought at the agencies at the center of this affair. This slow motion train wreck is nowhere near its end. Find out the latest in the never-ending Metra scandal here.
SHINE A LIGHT From House Speaker Michael Madigan's effort to get a raise for politically connected Metra employee to the expensive deal that send Metra CEO Alex Clifford packing with $718,000 in his pocket to the creation of a one-of-a-kind state job for the Metra employee Madigan originally tried to help, secrecy has been the foundation of the Metra scandal. Are you tired of hearing about these sweet deals after they happen (if you hear about them at all)? Stricter rules on transparency in government would help avoid these situations. Help us send a message to Springfield (and directly to Speaker Madigan) by using our Sound Off app to demand more openness in boards and commissions. A few mouse clicks is all it takes. Click here to get started.
Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
FORBES 400 Forbes magazine recently came out with its annual list of the 400 wealthiest Americans. We ran the Illinois members of the Forbes 400 through the Illinois Board of Elections database to see how much they've donated to political campaigns since 2006 and to whom. The results vary -- from seven figures to zero. See it here.
CROOKED MAPS Why should you care about changing the way Illinois politicians create their own districts? Because the current process "is crippling our democracy. It is stopping the legislative process. It is re-electing, cycle after cycle, politicians that do not represent you and have little reason to be accountable to your desires. And it creates a system that rewards unfair treatment of voters like you." So writes Michael Kolenc, campaign director of Yes for Independent Maps, in an op-ed today, If you care about better government for Illinois, this is a must-read. And it's an effort in which you can play a direct role. Read it here.
Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
TAKE OUR POLL! Attendees at Tuesday's Chicago Ideas Week political forum were invited to share their thoughts on what constitutes a healthy political system on a whiteboard in the lobby before and after the event. We want to hear your answers to that question. We can't send a whiteboard, but we can offer you a chance to take our online poll. Click here!
CORRECTION Yesterday's email had an incorrect link to Illinois Manufacturers Association President Greg Baise's op-ed on the decline of manufacturing jobs in Illinois. It's an excellent piece and the correct link is here.
HEADLINES Here's what's making news in Illinois today:
- 5. So far Bruce Rauner has raised nearly twice the money for his campaign as his three GOP rivals have raised combined. (Chicago Tribune)
4. The Illinois Supreme Court has agreed to hear Pat Quinn’s appeal on the lawsuit over suspension of legislators’ pay. (Associated Press)
3. The key vote on the future of the Illiana Expressway project will happen tonight. (Crain’s Chicago Business)
2. Illinois stiffs its creditors all the time. Could the federal government do the same at some point? (Chicago Magazine)
1. The Securities and Exchange Commission is probing clout-heavy Chicago charter school operator United Neighborhood Organizations for possible violations. (Chicago Sun-Times)
