June 28 2010 at 01:29 PM
Public weary about corporate influence in politics
A survey released by the People for…
Featured Reform Priorities in Illinois
Campaign Finance Reform
June 28 2010 at 12:58 PM
Campaign finance after Citizens United
The July/August issue of The American Interest contains a three-article symposium entitled “Campaign Finance after Citizens United.” Michael J. Malbin executive director of the Campaign Finance Institute and Professor of Political Science at the University at…
More Campaign Finance Reform in Illinois »
Election Law & Voting Rights
April 13 2010 at 03:22 PM
Proposed amendment would require experience to become judge
The Illinois Senate proposed requiring candidates for judicial seats to have 10 to 15 years experience as a licensed lawyer, according to the Springfield Journal-Register.Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment 120 was the only…
March 12 2010 at 02:11 PM
Justice Ginsburg Backs End to Judicial Elections
According to Gavel Grab, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has plunged into an intense debate and endorsed an end to local and state elections of judges. At a question-and-answer session Thursday before the National Association of Women Judges, Justice…
More Election Law & Voting Rights in Illinois »
Ethics in Government
July 02 2010 at 04:02 PM
“1 for All” campaign strives to increase First Amendement education
The Newseum and First Amendment Center launched the “
June 28 2010 at 01:29 PM
Public weary about corporate influence in politics
A survey released by the People for…
More Ethics in Government Illinois »
Judicial Independence
July 08 2010 at 10:19 AM
Judicial Performance Commission of Cook County offers new way of evaluating judges
A newly-established civic organization will give voters more and better information about candidates for judgeships. The Judicial Performance Commission of Cook County, composed of seventeen distinguished lawyers, civic leaders, and academics, is now compiling detailed evaluations of judges who are…
June 22 2010 at 12:04 PM
Beyond the Network: Political reform news from around the country
Around the country the subject of Fair & Impartial Courts keeps coming up, states are looking at the effectiveness of selecting judges based on a merit system instead of elections. Many states…
More Judicial Independence in Illinois »
Media Reform
July 02 2010 at 04:02 PM
“1 for All” campaign strives to increase First Amendement education
The Newseum and First Amendment Center launched the “
April 22 2010 at 02:59 PM
3 MDN states top government spending transparency report
Minnesota, Illinois and Ohio are among seven states leading the country in online access to government spending data.A new U.S. PRIG report, “
More Media Reform in Illinois »
Open Government
June 18 2010 at 12:32 PM
Disclosure bill pulled after NRA deal backlash
According to Gavel Grab, after cutting a deal with the National Rifle Association, Democratic House leaders witnessed a backlash over a bill to require greater disclosure by special interests of their funding for campaign advertising. As a result, Democrats…
June 16 2010 at 04:35 PM
Why institutions matter
Recently the Brookings Institution, in cooperation with the Hoover Institution, published a policy brief on institutional change in the wake of the economic recession. In addition to providing suggestions for reforming current government institutions, the report recognizes the…
More Open Government in Illinois »
Redistricting
June 14 2010 at 04:28 PM
NAACP LDF releases redistricting reform report
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. released Independent Redistricting Commissions: Reforming Redistricting Without Reversing Progress Toward Racial Equality.The report provides an overview of independent redistricting commissions and examines their potential impact on minority voting rights and notes…
May 14 2010 at 06:23 PM
Can We Get You Anything Else?
The Federal Election Commission has allowed Congressional candidates unrestricted campaign funds to influence the redistricting process. A New York Times editorial blasts the FEC’s decision, arguing candidates shaping the map making…
More Redistricting in Illinois »
Special Projects
Census and Redistricting - 2009-2010
Midwest a hotspot for census, redistricting efforts Participation crucial to full and…
More »
Public Financing for Federal Campaigns - 2009
Midwest reform groups urge President Obama to support federal public financing legislation
More »
Midwest Open Government Project - 2009
New study finds five Midwestern states have dim sunshine laws Clouded…
More »
A Citizen’s Guide to Redistricting - 2008
New guide brings redistricting out into the open
More »
Illinois News Feed
from Stateline.org
IL: Blago a bumbler or a schemer?
IL: Illinois racing board lets fairgoers bet on ponies
IL: Blagojevich trial -- Defense lawyer says ex-guv a talker, not criminal
Research Partner Resources
Brennan Center Democracy Program
Citizen Advocacy Center Government Monitoring
George Mason University United States Elections Project
States
