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Kildeer District 96's $4,281 board meeting with $7 sodas

December 26, 2012
Daily Herald

Strap on your bibs: It's time for another serving of watchdog kibble.

This is a collection of mini-investigations, updates and morsels of information, many of them generated by readers' tips.

This helping focuses on a Buffalo Grove-based school district's nearly $4,300 board meeting last month in Chicago, accolades for citizens fighting for better government transparency, updates on legislation inspired by previous investigations, and the latest on the internal power struggle at the Illinois Municipal League.

Seven-dollar sodas

Sandi Jackson Explains Her Moved Money

December 19, 2012
NBC Chicago News

Alderman asked by State Board of Elections to explain $69,000 discrepancy

By Mary Ann Ahern

Our Opinion: Time to tighten financial disclosure forms (Editorial)

December 19, 2012
State Journal Register

When Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon was a kid, her father, the late Paul Simon, took government transparency so seriously that he disclosed what she made from her babysitting jobs on his financial disclosure form.

Simon’s plan to get the state’s politicians to disclose more about their financial affairs and entanglements doesn’t go that far (nor should it), but her initiative would be a welcome change over the trickle of information from today’s requirements.

Senate panel could endorse ban on casino contributions

November 28, 2012
the Quad City Times

•  Kurt Erickson

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Pat Quinn’s effort to stop casino owners from giving money to politicians could get a boost from a legislative panel on Wednesday.

Members of the Senate Executive Committee are scheduled to debate legislation to impose a campaign contribution ban on casino and horse track owners as part of a larger package of reforms designed to bring Quinn on board with a plan to add five casinos to the state’s fleet of 10.

Public involvement is key to reform “I’m just one person; what can I do?”

November 20, 2012
the Daily Herald (Editorial)

That’s a common refrain among citizens these days, especially in a state with such intractable economic and political problems as Illinois.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Never did, really. Newspapers are constantly filled with the stories of individuals who stepped up to make a difference — take Erin Merryn, for instance, the 27-year-old Schaumburg woman who was recognized earlier this month for her continuing efforts to export Illinois’ anti-sexual abuse legislation that bears her name to all 50 states.

Jesse Jackson Jr. investigation: On the money trail

November 14, 2012
Abc News

As Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.'s whereabouts remain unknown, federal investigators continue to look into whether he illegally used campaign money to pay for personal expenses.

53rd District candidates running frugal campaigns this time

November 2, 2012
The Daily Herald

What a difference two years make.

When Republican David Harris defeated one-term incumbent Mark Walker for a seat in the Illinois House two years ago, the campaigns spent a combined $1 million.



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Quinn pick becomes chief of sports facilities agency

November 2, 2012
The Chicago Tribune




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53rd District candidates running frugal campaigns this time

November 2, 2012
the Daily Herald

By Deborah Donovan

What a difference two years make.
When Republican David Harris defeated one-term incumbent Mark Walker for a seat in the Illinois House two years ago, the campaigns spent a combined $1 million.

This year Harris has raised well under $50,000, and his opponent, Democrat Curt Renz, not a penny.
Redistricting has moved Harris into a newly drawn 53rd district, which he acknowledges “leans Republican.”

Last-minute money floods into Manar-McElroy state Senate race

November 1, 2012
The State Journal-Register
Posted Nov 01, 2012 @ 10:00 PM
Last update Nov 01, 2012 @ 10:31 PM


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