Analysis Archives

12 Reasons To Appreciate Springfield. Seriously.

Despite the budget blues, legislators passed several good government bills on their way to the governor’s desk.

In 2001, 40 journalists covered the Capitol full-time. Now there are only 10.

Hats off to the Police Board, Ethics Board and IGs that are stepping up to hold public officials accountable.

New Department of Assets, Information and Services reduced spending growth by $1.8 million per year post-merger, exceeding $1 million savings target.

While leadership flails on a budget deal, rank-and-file legislators in Springfield are moving the ball on good government issues.

BGA makes progress around key policy areas despite dysfunction in Springfield.

“By any statistical measure we’re a worse democracy today than 40 or even 20 years ago.” -Dick Simpson, political scientist

Illinois school districts are so administratively top heavy that they’re depriving schools of valuable instruction dollars.

Reforming gun sentencing, bail and police union contracts are just some of the encouraging efforts around Chicago.

Many opportunities for increased transparency, oversight of controversial funding mechanism.