RFI in the News

Chicago temporary casino location raises donation concerns

RFI ED Alisa Kaplan was interviewed on WGN9 about the newly announced temporary casino location at Medinah Temple in Chicago and the owner’s recent donation to Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s campaign account.  “The reason that was a legal contribution was because…

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RFI ED talks electoral boards, conflicts of interest

“The people who are sitting on these electoral boards, and who are deciding who gets to stay on the ballot when these petition challenges come to them, have a direct stake in who wins these elections,” said Alisa Kaplan, executive…

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Are Gas Giveaways Vote Buying?

RFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan spoke to the Chicago Tribune about Willie Wilson’s latest gas giveaway and the sometimes blurry ethical line between charity and campaigning. Read the full article here.

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What will it take for true ethics reform in Springfield?

RFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan spoke with Greg Bishop of The Center Square about the lack of meaningful ethics reform in Springfield after former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan’s indictment. “If the indictment of Speaker Madigan wasn’t going to do…

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The Legislature Tackles Judicial Elections (sort of)

RFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan spoke with The State Journal-Register about HB 716, which includes provisions to study the public financing of judicial campaigns and implements restrictions on campaign contributions in judicial elections. The bill now awaits further action by…

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RFI in Action: Cook County Assessor Town Hall

What happens at the Cook County Assessor’s office affects the bank accounts of millions of Illinoisans. It also affects our communities, as inequitable property tax burdens can lower homeownership rates in vulnerable neighborhoods, depress the creation of generational wealth, and…

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Congress should ban stock trading

RFI ED Alisa Kaplan spoke with Greg Hinz of Crain’s Chicago Business about U.S. Rep. Newman’s recent stock trades and proposed legislation in Congress to ban sitting members of Congress from trading stocks.  Read the article here.  

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Ethics reform stalls after Madigan indictment

“I think we need to resist the temptation to say, ‘This was just Madigan, one bad apple. Now that Madigan’s gone, the problem is solved,’ ” said RFI ED Alisa Kaplan. “We know in Illinois that’s not true. This is…

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