News

Tuesday, September 24, 2024
The Reick Report

Though National Food Bank Day, a day where we recognize the important work of Food Banks in every community to serve food insecure families, was on September 6th, every day…


Friday, September 6, 2024
They’re in the Business of Taking Credit, and When Things Go Wrong, Assigning Blame

Hot Topic of the Week:  When you hear a candidate of the majority party running for a seat in the Illinois House say: “I am committed to listening to all…


Monday, August 26, 2024
IL Supreme Court Rejects Venezuelan-Style Voting Law

On May 1st, House Democrats filed House Floor Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 2412 (nominally titled “DCFS-CHILD WELFARE GOALS”).  Let’s set aside for now the cruel irony of using a…


Thursday, August 22, 2024
A Story of Agency Failure from the Front Lines

First of all, I’d like to thank all of you who stopped by my tent earlier this month at the McHenry County Fair. Though the weather was a little over…


Tuesday, August 6, 2024
CMAP recently announced our 2024 technical assistance awards

This year, CMAP received 122 total applications from 96 different applicants, the most applications received to date. We have selected 30 new technical assistance projects that support communities with ADA…


Monday, July 1, 2024
We’re From the Government and We’re Here to Help. (Really, we are!)

Typically, we focus on substantive issues and policies in these newsletters. Today’s “Hot Topic of the Week” is a little different – constituent service. From my first day in office…


Tuesday, June 25, 2024
The Crisis We’ve Ignored for Far Too Long

In this week’s newsletter, it’s time to talk about the least exciting and most important topic that most people in State Government want to avoid – PENSIONS. Before your eyes…


Wednesday, June 12, 2024
When is a Tax Increase Called a Tax Cut? When the Governor Says So!

Last week I focused on process – the mess that the Democrats created and then rigged to pass their tax increase. This week I’ll talk a little more about what…


Friday, May 31, 2024
In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning…

…While the whole wide world was fast asleep, as we once again slouched our way toward a 4:30 AM adjournment on Wednesday, Frank Sinatra’s classic recording of this great Mann…


Monday, February 26, 2024
Wishful Thinking, Shifting Tax Burdens, Highway Robbery, and Filing a Witness Slip

During last week’s annual Budget Address and State of the State Speech the Governor proposed an increase nearly $2.3 billion in spending over last year. While his revenue estimate results…