Three proposals for community input into policing currently sit in the City Council. Finding the middle ground will be difficult but critical.
Analysis
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
Following BGA Analysis, Sen. Cullerton Introduces Plan to Limit Rich Severance Packages
Cullerton legislation was prompted by BGA examination of multiple golden parachute cases that cost Illinois taxpayers millions along with research on best practices in other states.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: Here Are Hundreds of Government Boards We Should Do Without In Illinois
Police and fire pension fund consolidation will create efficiencies and significantly reduce costs, improving many towns’ ability to finance the retirements promised to public safety workers.
Posted inAnalysis, Investigation, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: As Media’s Presence Shrinks, Taxpayers Suffer
As print and broadcast media keep shedding staff to cut costs, public officials face less and less scrutiny, emboldening them to misbehave with impunity, laws and taxpayers be damned.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Statewide Police and Fire Pension Fund Database: How Much Does Your Town Owe?
Illinois has the most police and fire pension funds in the country, and many are underfunded. Use our tool to see how your town’s funds measure up.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Examining Another Plan to Shift Pension Costs Back to Schools
Rauner’s proposal to shift state pension obligations for educators back to their employers, local school systems and universities isn’t new or unique to Republicans.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: Let’s Try Opening Up Ballots and Primaries
Why should you have to tell an election judge you’re a Democrat or Republican?
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Hate Asking for One Party’s Ballot? Here’s How It’s Done Elsewhere
Every primary election, we hear complaints from family and friends about the fact that they have to ask an election judge for a Democratic, Republican, or Green party ballot. That isn’t so in other states.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: Illinois Primary Reveals Election Flaws That Need Fixin’
We’re lamenting the system’s failure to give candidates and voters the election they deserve in a healthy democracy, and promoting reforms to consider in the run-up to November.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Leven: Community Commission for Public Safety is Reform with a Capital-R
The Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability has thrown another major proposal into the mix of Chicago police reform efforts. What is the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability and might it bring some stability to a volatile period for Chicago police oversight?