Officials suing citizens to block transparency is an alarming trend in and out of Illinois, says BGA policy & civic engagement director Madeleine Doubek.
Madeleine Doubek
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: Tackling Townships That Seem To Take, Take, Take
There are indeed efforts out there to trim government excess. Here’s a look at three smart streamlining laws aimed at township government.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: Illinois Has The Worst Pension Debt In The Nation. What’s The Fix?
State budget? Check. School funding? Check. But pension debt and problems remain.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: New Laws Are Baby Steps Toward Streamlining Too Many Governments
Illinois has 1,800 more government units than even Texas. But a few new laws and a growing movement behind streamlining is good news for beleaguered taxpayers.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: End The School Funding Divide-And-Conquer
For at least 25 years, we’ve been playing divide-and-conquer games over Illinois school funding, with our children as the dispensable collateral damage.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Learning From Those Leaving Springfield
Several longtime lawmakers are leaving Springfield. Can we learn from these departures? Can we turn exits into insight?
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
How To Move From Impasse Illinois To Improving Illinois
Illinois has a budget after two years without one. How do we make sure it doesn’t happen again?
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
It’s Time To Talk About Sharing More At City Hall
Chicago City Council members ought to step back and look around at some other ways they can proactively open up their processes and encourage more public access and participation in city government.