Inspiring Investment in Chicago Neighborhoods
2018-01-17 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Columbia College, Ferguson Hall, 600 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Addressing Sexual Harassment In Illinois Government
2018-02-16 12:00 - 13:30 | The Standard Club, 320 S Plymouth, Chicago, United States
On February 16th, ICPR hosted a forum titled “Addressing Sexual Harassment in Illinois Government.” The forum focused on how leaders plan to tackle the issue of sexual harassment in the Illinois General Assembly. See more
If you were unable to attend, check out this video from our live stream.

Attorney General Candidate Forum
2018-03-07 12:00 - 13:30 | Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson, Chicago
On Wednesday March 7th, 2018, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform hosted an Attorney General Candidate Forum at the Union League Club of Chicago. See more

Illinois Primary: What Happened & Why
2018-04-05 12:00 - 13:30
On April 5, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform hosted an event, “Illinois Primary Election: What Happened & Why” at the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. The conversation focus on who won on March 20th, why, and what to expect in the upcoming General Election in November. See more

The American Presidency: How Reporting has Changed from Nixon to Trump
2018-06-14 12:00 - 13:30
At its annual fundraiser, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform (ICPR) hosted Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, the reporters who broke the Watergate scandal. In the conversation, Woodward and Bernstein also highlighted the differences in news coverage and media, then to now. See more

Show Us The Money: The Inequality of Cook County Property Taxes
2018-07-19 10:30 - 12:00 | Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson, Chicago

Show Us the Money: Reforming The Cook County Property Tax System
2018-08-22 10:30 - 12:00 | Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson, Chicago
**Please note: the Union League Club of Chicago maintains a ‘business casual’ dress code – i.e., no jeans, denim or athletic wear, please.

Can Changing The Way We Vote Boost Voter Turnout?
2018-10-02 12:00 - 13:30 | Chicago Board of Elections, 69 W. Washington, Chicago, IL, 60602, United States

Illinois Attorney General Town Hall
2018-10-05 12:00 - 13:30 | Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson, Chicago
For an additional $150 you can sponsor this event! An event sponsorship includes your name listed in the program and other materials.
Please note: the Union League Club of Chicago maintains a ‘business casual’ dress code – i.e., no jeans/denim or athletic wear, please.

Illinois 2018 Midterm Election Recap
2018-11-14 18:00 - 19:30 | DePaul University Daley Building, 247 S. State Street, Chicago, IL, 60604, United States

Illinois Women Empowered
2018-12-03 17:30 - 19:00 | Petterino’s, 150 N Dearborn Street, Chicago, United States
RSVP HERE!

Equal Voices: HR1 and Campaign Finance Reform in Illinois
2019-05-19 16:00 - 17:30 | Cantigny Park – Visitor Center, 1 S 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, IL, 60189, United States
“Join us for a conversation about how the national campaign finance reform movement connects with local and state policy here in Illinois.”

"Ethics and Equity for Illinois" Luncheon
2019-06-14 12:00 - 14:00 | The Ivy Room, 12 E Ohio, Chicago, IL, United States
A sincere thank you to our “Champion” sponsors, Hon. Karen McConnaughay, and HNTB Corporation for your generous support.

2020 Dawn Clark Netsch & Judy Baar Topinka Annual Awards Reception
2020-01-22 17:30 - 19:30 | Petterino’s, 150 N Dearborn Street, Chicago, United States

A Conversation With Reform Advocate & Graphic Novelist Daniel Newman
2020-10-13 18:00 - 19:30
Reform for Illinois is excited to host democracy reform advocate Daniel Newman for a discussion of his new graphic novel, Unrig.
Political reform advocates know how hard it can be to communicate about reform issues in an engaging way that mobilizes audiences.
Author Daniel Newman met this challenge head on with this innovative book that takes a fresh, original look at the forces distorting our democracy and what people can do about them.
Our conversation will focus on the parts of his book related to lobbying and money in politics. It will be a great opportunity to learn about these crucial topics, as well as about Mr. Newman’s experiences drawing in new audiences and creating new advocates.
Register here.

Property Tax Virtual Town Hall
2021-09-09 19:00 - 20:30
The Cook County Assessor is supposed to value properties and tax them fairly. The Board of Review and the state’s Property Tax Assessment Board (PTAB) were formed to provide an avenue for taxpayers to appeal those decisions, presenting cases of hardship, misinformation, or simple human error. But over the years, and hand-in-hand with former Cook County Assessor Joe Berrios, these additional layers of government have been criticized for their lack of fairness and equity in their decisions.
On Thursday, September 9, join former former Cook County Board of Ethics member Juliet Sorensen, University of Chicago Center for Municipal Finance‘s Christopher Berry, and Blacks In Green‘s Naomi Davis for a conversation about these issues, moderated by Good Government Illinois’s David Orr and Reform for Illinois’s Alisa Kaplan.
We’ll discuss:

What is the impact of these offices on taxpayers’ bottom lines?
What has been going wrong at the Board of Review and PTAB, and why?
How do these problems connect to the County’s failure to strengthen ethics standards?
What value do these layers of government actually provide to taxpayers?
What steps can we take to make assessments more equitable and fair?

Register now to attend our Virtual Town Hall, co-hosted by Good Government Illinois, and submit your own questions about the Board of Review and PTAB. This event will be conducted via Zoom, and will also be streamed on Facebook Live.

Dirty Money? The Real Story of How Special Interests Impact Environmental and Energy Policy at the State, Federal, and Global Level
2021-12-09 19:00 - 20:30
From Joe Manchin to ComEd, it’s hard to escape speculation about the role of corporate money and special interests in environmental and energy policy. On Thursday, December 9 at 7PM, join Reform for Illinois for an in-depth look at what’s really going on with three advocates who have been in the trenches fighting for environmental reform at the state, federal, and global level.
Our conversation will feature Illinois PIRG’s Abe Scarr, WE ACT for Environmental Justice’s Dana Johnson, and Public Citizen’s Tyson Slocum.
The forum will be moderated by RFI Executive Director Alisa Kaplan.
We’ll discuss questions including:

In the wake of the alleged bribery scandal surrounding former House Speaker Mike Madigan, how did ComEd shape recent energy legislation in Illinois?
What’s the real story behind congressional resistance to federal climate change legislation?
What does equitable energy policy look like, and how are special interests affecting equity concerns in global climate changenegotiations?

This free event (with a suggested donation of $15) will be conducted via Zoom.
Click here to register now! You can also submit your own questions for our guests.
Abe Scarr is the director of Illinois PIRG. He is a lead advocate in the capitol and in the media for stronger consumer protections, utility accountability, and good government. In 2017, Abe led a coalition to pass legislation to implement automatic voter registration in Illinois, winning unanimous support in the Illinois General Assembly for the bill. In 2019, he co-authored “Tragedy of Errors,” a report documenting decades of mismanagement in the Peoples Gas pipe replacement program, and has built a large coalition to end wasteful gas utility spending. In 2020, he co-authored “Guaranteed Profits, Broken Promises,” a report documenting the failures of the 2011 Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act, which granted ComEd formula rates, and has been a prominent voice calling for reform in the wake of the ComEd bribery scandal. Before moving to Illinois in 2014, Abe worked as the state director for ConnPIRG, where he helped pass a landmark solid waste and recycling law. He serves as a board member for the Consumer Federation of America.
Dana Johnson serves as Senior Director of Strategy and Federal Policy at WE ACT for Environmental Justice and leads an advocacy, regulatory and policy-setting team. She has successfully helped shape the environmental industry narrative in the areas of clean air, healthy homes, water quality, energy democracy, and transportation standards. A sought after thought leader, Dana has moderated conversations about equitable policy-making on behalf of the New York Bar Association and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Water Club. She also conceptualized and co-hosted an environmental justice education series on Clubhouse titled All Heat, No Shade. This series built awareness of President Biden’s Climate Executive Orders and his “whole of government” approach to addressing environmental justice and the climate crisis. Dana is a Board Member of Green 2.0 – a non-profit organization that believes that the voices and leadership of a powerful environmental movement must be as diverse as the causes it champions. She also is on the Advisory Council of the State Energy & Impact Center of NYU School of Law.
Dana recently returned from the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where she advocated for equitable approaches to climate change policy.
Tyson Theron Slocum is director of Public Citizen’s Energy & Climate Program, covering the regulation of petroleum, natural gas and power markets. Tyson promotes an equitable energy transition that provides renewable energy and sustainable transportation solutions for working families. Tyson serves on the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Energy & Environmental Markets Advisory Committee, and the CFTC’s Market Risk Advisory Committee, and frequently intervenes before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission representing the interests of households. Tyson presents his research in congressional testimony and appears regularly in the media, including appearances on CNN, MSNBC and The Colbert Report. Tyson is a member of the faculty at the University of Maryland, where he teaches an Honors College seminar on energy and climate policy, and was named Teacher Of The Year in 2017. Tyson hails originally from Newport, RI. Follow him on Twitter @TysonSlocum
RSVP here.

Virtual Town Hall with Fritz Kaegi, Cook County Assessor
2022-04-06 18:00 - 19:00
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 worsen segregation.
On Wednesday, April 6 at 6PM, join Reform for Illinois’ Alisa Kaplan for a conversation with Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi about the challenges and controversies facing his office, including the fallout from the tenure of his predecessor, Joe Berrios; the difficulties of assessing properties during COVID; criticisms of how the office has balanced commercial and residential assessments; and the role the assessor can play in creating a more equitable Cook County.
Register now to attend our Virtual Town Hall and submit your own questions. This event will be conducted via Zoom.
MWRD Commissioner Kari Steele, who is challenging Assessor Kaegi in the June primary, did not respond to our invitation to participate in this Town Hall.
RSVP here.

Reform for Illinois' 2023 Annual Awards Celebration
2023-10-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Fremont, 15 W. Illinois St, Chicago
Our annual awards celebration is back! After more than three years, we could not be more excited to see you all in person. This year, we’re recognizing four of our state’s brightest stars: people who have spoken truth to power, blazed new trails in our democracy, and dedicated their lives to serving the people of Illinois.
There’ll be food, drink, inspiration, and great company. And, of course, the opportunity to support Reform for Illinois’ critical mission of creating a more ethical and equitable democracy that works for everyone.
Click here to buy your tickets or, better yet, become an event sponsor!
Special thanks to this year’s sponsors (in formation): “Legend” ($10,000) – David Hiller; “Champion” ($5,000) – Prof. Ben and Mary Page; “Advocate” ($2,500) – Prof. Dick Simpson; David Melton and Nancy Segal.

This year’s honorees:

Hon. Michele Smith, former alderwoman of Chicago’s 43rd Ward, for her leadership in passing meaningful ethics reform in Chicago.

Amanda Vinicky, WTTW correspondent and host, for her incisive coverage of state politics and her essential role in holding power to account.

Illinois state Senator Robert Peters for his tireless efforts to give voice to the unheard and strengthen democracy through programs like civics education for incarcerated individuals.

Hon. Dick Simpson, professor emeritus at UIC and former Chicago alderman, for his lifelong commitment to fighting against corruption and for good government in Chicago.

We hope you can join us!

Civil Disagreements: Bail Reform in Illinois
2024-04-16 13:30 - 14:30
Illinois became the first state in the nation to eliminate cash bail last year. Our panel discussion will explore the implementation of the reform, confront myths and realities around the law, and consider broader implications for the justice system in Illinois and the nation.
Panelists include:
Sharone Mitchell, Cook County Public Defender
Insha Rahman, Vera Institute for Justice
Joe Tabor, Illinois Policy Institute
The panel will be moderated by Raff Donelson of the Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Time: April 16, 1:30 PM Central. Register here!
Sponsored by Reform for Illinois and the local chapters of the American Bar Association, the American Constitution Society, and the Federalist Society.

Civil Disagreements: Can Presidents Pardon Themselves?
2024-05-22 12:00 - 13:15 | Zoom
The U.S. Constitution says that presidents may “grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.” Nearly every president has exercised this power for offenses ranging from treason to simple drug possession. But to date, the only president to receive a pardon was former President Richard M. Nixon.
Today’s political circumstances raise the possibility of a second pardon of a former (and perhaps future) president, Donald Trump. Currently on trial on state criminal charges in New York, the former president faces three more potential criminal trials before or after the upcoming presidential election. A second state court trial remains pending in Georgia, and two criminal cases remain pending on federal charges. The prospect of convictions in any of these cases raises an intriguing question: If Trump is re-elected in November, will he have the power to pardon himself? And even if he does, should he?
Panelists will explore arguments in a moderated debate, followed by a discussion. This program is part of an ongoing series, Civil Disagreements, a collection of moderated debates and discussions on current, critical, and often contentious civic questions. Register for the debate here.
Sponsored by Reform for Illinois, the American Bar Association’s Division for Public Education, the American Constitution Society (Chicago and Austin TX chapters), and the Federalist Society (Chicago chapter).

"Minority Rule" Book Event with Author Ari Berman
2024-06-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Roosevelt University
Join Reform for Illinois and Good Government Illinois for an exciting book event on June 4th with author Ari Berman! Minority Rule is a riveting account of the decades-long effort to undermine our democracy — and the movement to stop it.
Berman’s historical research and incisive on-the-ground reporting chronicle how antidemocratic tactics interact with structural inequalities in institutions like the Electoral College to ultimately threaten the survival of representative government in the United States.
RFI Senior Policy Advisor David Orr will lead the discussion with the author. You can register for the event here.
Co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Chicago, the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, Common Cause Illinois, and Change Illinois.

Civil Disagreements: Major Questions Doctrine
2024-09-26 12:00 - 13:15 | Zoom
In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court invoked the “major questions doctrine” in its landmark decision rejecting an EPA initiative to regulate greenhouse gases. The doctrine, which has evolved and gained prominence in recent years, describes the Court’s demand that executive branch administrative agencies only address issues of “vast economic and political significance” if they have “clear” statutory authorization from Congress.
In the greenhouse gas case, Chief Justice John Roberts and the Court’s majority described the doctrine as a beneficial limit on undemocratic administrative power. Dissenters saw the ruling as a judicial power grab. Justice Elena Kagan protested that “The Court appoints itself—instead of Congress or the expert agency—the decision-maker on climate policy.”
In practice, the major questions doctrine has already affected many Americans in their everyday lives. It has been used to limit federal regulation in areas like the environment, drugs, worker safety, and more. With the Court’s ideological composition set for the foreseeable future, we are likely to see this trend continue.
Is the major questions doctrine sound constitutional interpretation? Should the Supreme Court have the final word on “major questions”? And, if so, how does the Court distinguish between “major” and “minor” questions?
Civil Disagreements is a series of moderated debates on current, critical, and often contentious civic questions sponsored by Reform for Illinois, the American Bar Association’s Division for Public Education, the American Constitution Society (Chicago and Austin, TX chapters), and the Federalist Society (Chicago chapter).

Reform for Illinois' 2024 Annual Awards Celebration
2024-11-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Kaiser Tiger, 1415 W. Randolph St, Chicago, 60607, United States
This year, we’re recognizing four of our state’s brightest stars: people who have informed and engaged us, blazed new trails in our democracy, and dedicated their lives to serving the people of Illinois.
There’ll be food, drink, inspiration, and great company. And, of course, the opportunity to support Reform for Illinois’ critical mission of creating a more ethical and equitable democracy that works for everyone.
Click here to buy your tickets or, better yet, become an event sponsor!
This year’s honorees:

Heather Cherone, Political Reporter at WTTW, for her expert coverage of Chicago and Illinois politics and her critical role in keeping us informed about our government.

Ald. Matt Martin (47th), for his courageous and tireless work as Chair of the Ethics and Government Oversight Committee.

Stevie Valles, co-Executive Director of Chicago Votes, for his impactful work engaging young Chicagoans in politics and building a more inclusive democracy.

Lifetime Achievement Award to Nancy Stevenson, for her decades of advocacy for a better government that works for everyone.

We hope you can join us!

Civil Disagreements: Bribes, Gratuities, and Corruption after Snyder v. U.S.
2025-02-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
In 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial ruling in Snyder v. United States held that the federal law banning public officials from accepting certain payments (18 U.S.C. § 666) only criminalizes bribes received in exchange for official acts. Under that ruling, the statute does not apply to “gratuities” or gifts—such as gift cards or lunches—given for past acts absent a quid pro quo agreement between the payor and the official.
The Court explained that “[b]ribes” are “payments made or agreed to before an official act” to influence the official to carry out “that future official act.” By contrast, “gratuities” are payments made “after an official act,” “with no agreement beforehand,” and “are not the same as bribes before the official act.” Having made that distinction, the Court said that “American law generally treats bribes as inherently corrupt and unlawful . . . [b]ut the law’s treatment of gratuities is more nuanced.”
What does the Snyder ruling mean for bribery prosecutions in Illinois and across the country? Could this decision spur changes to state anti-corruption laws?
Civil Disagreements is a series of moderated debates on current, critical, and often contentious civic questions sponsored by Reform for Illinois, the American Bar Association’s Division for Public Education, the American Constitution Society (Chicago and Austin, TX chapters), and the Federalist Society (Chicago chapter).

Civil Disagreements: Power, Liberty, and Regulation after Chevron
2025-06-03 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo overturned the Chevron doctrine, a legal precedent that guided how federal courts treated agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes. Under the Chevron doctrine, a court would prioritize an agency’s interpretation, citing the agency employees’ expertise in the relevant data, science, and general subject matter. Environmental issues, for example, would be best handled by the Environmental Protection Agency. This allowed federal agencies to enact regulations in many areas–e.g. environmental protection, healthcare, labor, worker safety. Striking down the doctrine means courts will no longer automatically defer to agencies’ interpretations of ambiguous laws; instead, they will exercise independent judgment. This decision reduces the power of federal agencies to interpret statutes broadly and potentially shifts more authority to the courts and, indirectly, to states. States might have greater freedom to enact their own laws and regulations to address problems, potentially leading to a more fragmented regulatory landscape across the country. States could also challenge federal regulations they deem too burdensome or not aligned with their priorities, leading to a potentially more decentralized and varied approach to addressing national issues.
Join us for a panel discussion about how this decision might shape regulations in Illinois and across the country.
Civil Disagreements is a series of moderated debates on current, critical, and often contentious civic questions sponsored by Reform for Illinois, the American Bar Association’s Division for Public Education, the American Constitution Society (Chicago and Austin, TX chapters), and the Federalist Society (Chicago chapter).

Reform for Illinois' 2025 Annual Awards Celebration
2025-11-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Kaiser Tiger, 1415 W. Randolph St, Chicago, 60607, United States
This year, we’re recognizing four of our state’s brightest stars: people who have spoken truth to power, protected our most vulnerable residents, and dedicated their lives to strengthening our democracy and serving the people of Illinois.
There’ll be food, an open bar, inspiration, and great company. And, of course, the opportunity to support Reform for Illinois’ mission. As the nation faces unprecedented threats to our core democratic values, this is a crucial moment to come together, honor those on the front lines, and recommit to building a fair, accountable government for all.
Click here to buy your tickets or, better yet, become an event sponsor!
2025 Honorees
Steve Berlin, for his essential and tireless work as Executive Director of the Chicago Board of Ethics.
Craig Dellimore, former WBBM Newsradio Political Editor, for serving as an expert, trusted voice on Chicago news and politics for more than four decades.
Ray Long, former Investigative Reporter at the Chicago Tribune, for his outstanding coverage of corruption in Illinois politics and his invaluable role in keeping us informed about our government.
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), for its impactful work protecting the rights of immigrants and refugees and building a more inclusive democracy.
We hope you can join us!

Webinar - Countering Citizens United: Blunting the Influence of Money in Politics
2026-05-06 19:00 | Zoom
Join the League of Women Voters of Roselle-Bloomingdale Area and Chicago for a timely discussion that will examine new state-level strategies developed in response to Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, including the “corporate power reset” approach and emerging reform efforts nationwide.
Speakers:
• Tom Moore, Center for American Progress
• Alisa Kaplan, Reform for Illinois
Learn how these ideas could impact transparency, corporate influence, and campaign finance—both nationally and here in Illinois.
Register here.

Follow the Money Training
2026-05-26 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Join Reform for Illinois, the League of Women Voters of Chicago, Citizen Action Illinois, & Alderman Matt Martin (47th Ward) for a virtual ‘Follow the Money’ training focused on tracking the campaign cash—and political influence—in Illinois state and local elections. This timely event comes after big spending in Illinois’ recent primary elections.
This training will cover both Reform for Illinois’ Sunshine Campaign Finance database and the Illinois State Board of Elections websites. Learn how to find information on donations to political committees, search for super PAC expenditures, and track the money in a given race.
Join us on May 26th from 6-7 PM CT to learn how to ‘Follow the Money’ in Illinois! Register here.
