A bill in the Illinois legislature would allow McHenry County residents to dissolve their townships. Government consolidation is a key priority for the BGA and the bill would be a step in that direction.
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Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
Ask Illinois Lawmakers to Vote to End Golden Parachutes
Join the BGA Policy and Civic Engagement Team in telling lawmakers to stop golden parachutes.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Is the ACLU Really to Blame for Chicago’s Murder Spike?
Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently cited an academic study that claims a surge in deadly violence in Chicago was caused by ACLU pressure to end the city’s stop-and-frisk policing policy. Experts say the study is flawed and ignores other critical factors.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
It’s Time to Expand the Work of the Council Office of Financial Accountability
The BGA Policy and Civic Engagement team sent a letter to Chicago City Council members in support of expanding the responsibilities of the Council Office of Financial Analysis.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Vallas, Emanuel Point Fingers Over Chicago Teacher Pension Freefall
In just a few decades, the bottom line at the retirement fund for Chicago teachers sunk from healthy to sickly. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and a possible re-election rival, former schools CEO Paul Vallas, are now trading shots over which of them is to blame.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Rauner’s EPA Does About-face and Will Hold Public Meetings on Volkswagen Money
The move follows criticism that decisions about how to spend $109 million from the auto company’s settlement were being made with big business in secret.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Police Shooting Bill On Fast-track Because It Changes Little
A BGA/WBEZ probe revealed suburban police are never disciplined for shooting people despite dozens of questionable incidents. Legislation to address the problem is meeting little resistance in Springfield but imposes only minor reforms.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
Your Voice Mattered in the Fight for Fair Maps
Although we didn’t succeed in getting the Fair Maps Amendments onto the floor of the Senate and House for a vote, we have come far in the effort for fairer maps in Illinois.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Rescuing Illinois’ Public Safety Pension Funds
Nearly 98 percent of public safety funds in Illinois have more liabilities than assets. Advocates and officials have pushed to consolidate these hundreds of pension funds.
Posted inPress Release
Baum Family Fund Supports BGA Environmental Initiative
The grant will support the work of a dedicated BGA journalist to act as the public’s eyes and ears on environmental regulation and other issues over the next two years.