Several police shootings in suburban Cook County have led to lawsuits and settlements, but zero internal discipline. How could such reprehensible policing continue unabated and undisclosed for so long?
Analysis
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Too Many School Districts In Illinois? What You Should Know About School Consolidation
With 852 separate districts, Illinois has the third most school districts in the nation, bested only by Texas and California, whose populations are more than double ours.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: Special Ed Students and Others Deserve Oversight Hearings
Chicago aldermen owe their constituents the transparency and accountability of oversight hearings on CPS special education problems.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: When Government ‘Pulls a Lucy’
Chicago City Council is infamous for contemplating a good government reform and then yanking out those key elements before a final vote.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
How Can You Be a More Engaged Citizen? Read, Participate, Use FOIA and Collaborate
Filing a FOIA request isn’t difficult; its simply has to be in writing.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Nine New Illinois Laws to Know in 2018
From expanding consumer protections to extending the powers of voters to consolidate local units of government, here is what you need to know in 2018.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: How Solid Local Journalism Delivered in Chicago and Illinois in 2017
New Department of Assets, Information and Services reduced spending growth by $1.8 million per year post-merger, exceeding $1 million savings target.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: #MeToo Movement Might Bring Clearer Sexual Harassment Processes to Government
In her column for the Chicago Sun-Times, Policy Director Madeleine Doubek says the #MeToo movement might improve governments’ response to sexual harassment.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: Is IL Ready To Attack Bureaucratic Bloat And Save Money?
There comes a time—a day of reckoning actually—when important issues that generally make our eyes glaze over because of their discomfiting terminology start making us mad.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
BGA Testifies For Inspector General For Chicago’s Sewage District
For a governing body bigger than many Illinois cities and towns, the BGA told commissioners, creating an OIG is “an environmental and fiduciary imperative.”