An Uber ride, and the ‘sharing economy’
Last week, I ordered my first Uber ride. Normally, when I take the train to Chicago from Springfield, I hail a cab to get to my hotel from Union Station....
Home > Reviews
All Stories
Redistricting reform surely needed in Illinois
Democracy may not be dead in Illinois, but it sure is circling the drain. It's the dirty little secret of the Illinois General Assembly — most members aren't so much...
A state senator’s unusual vote
Sometimes it's easy to forget that public policy can collide with private pain. I saw that pain last week while chatting with state Sen. Kyle McCarter. McCarter, a Republican from...
Judges, not legislature, determining state spending
It seems everyone is mad at the state of Illinois. And one of the hottest is Danny Chasteen, who in July won $250,000 in the Illinois Lottery but, so far,...
Madigan may be starting to lose his iron grip
Madigan may be starting to lose his iron grip The only can to get kicked down the road last week was Mike Madigan's. For three decades, the House speaker and...
U of I officials have lost their way
Last week, I was chatting with a mother and father about their daughter's college plans. Their high schooler is visiting college campuses, and they are encouraging her to consider attending...
Mitsubishi move latest omen of Illinois’ business future
When I first began covering Illinois state government, a Mitsubishi sports car could be seen sitting in the governor's parking spot at the Capitol. The year was 1988, and the...
Changing America’s ‘lock ’em up’ mentality
"Ma'am I've got some good news for you. Your grandson is being released from prison." I made that phone call about 15 years ago after covering a session of the...
Unions and the politics of envy
Occasionally when I was growing up, my brother and I were allowed to split a bottle of pop. I'd pour the soda into identical glasses while peering intently at each...
Case before Supreme Court has unions worried
The U.S. Supreme Court last week agreed to hear a case that has labor union bosses worried. Very worried. In the case, Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Association, Rebecca Friedrichs and...