In the village of Essex, a small town in Kankakee County, energy company Constellation recently purchased over 700 acres of land. Yet, the company has not informed residents of their construction plans. Residents fear that the company plans to build…
Read MoreEx-Rep. Harry Benton recently resigned from the IL General Assembly following allegations of serious misconduct. Yet, the report on Benton’s actions has not been made public. The problem, Executive Director Alisa Kaplan argues in the Chicago Tribune, is a lack…
Read MoreAt an Ethics and Government Oversight Committee Hearing at Chicago City Council, RFI Executive Director testified on dark money’s impact on Chicago elections and the potential for reform alongside other pro-democracy proposals. “When campaigns are funded by unknown megadonors, it…
Read MoreIn 2022, Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot awarded a casino contract to Bally’s Chicago in River North. Today, Lightfoot is representing Bally’s through her law firm in a legal pursuit against the Chicago City Council to stop the legalization of video…
Read MoreRFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan spoke with Fox 32 Chicago about ethics concerns raised by an email and flyer soliciting cash donations sent to Department of Aviation employees for a birthday celebration for First Deputy Commissioner Tracey Payne. “It’s not…
Read MoreIn an interview with the Chicago Tribune, RFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan weighed in on Illinois lawmakers’ use of a 2021 law permitting campaign funds to be spent on childcare. “When a reform intended to lower barriers to public service…
Read MoreRFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan spoke with The Center Square about how Illinois’ loose restrictions on dual office holding could lead to conflicts of interest and potential retaliation by public officials. “Many states have stricter limits on dual office holding,…
Read MoreFormer Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan is appealing his conviction. In The Center Square, RFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan spoke about the need for ethics reform in Illinois, stating, “There needs to be a real change in the way leadership…
Read MoreRFI’s lawsuit to implement ranked choice voting (RCV) in Evanston was refiled on February 20th. In an interview with the Evanston RoundTable, RFI Board President David Melton said that he hoped for a circuit court ruling within “the next two…
Read MoreIn a letter to the editor published by the Chicago Tribune, RFI supporter Galen Burghardt argues that the Cook County Clerk is halting progress on ranked-choice voting in Evanston. “It’s frustrating that at a time of national democratic backsliding, [Cook County…
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