As aldermen coming under the scrutiny of law enforcement, it’s high time they start policing themselves.
Analysis
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
BGA Testifies For Ethics Reforms For Chicago
The BGA characterized Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s proposed ethics changes “only a start,” and urged aldermen to send a strong signal about their commitment to finishing the job.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Gets a Watchdog
Under an intergovernmental agreement, the wastewater treatment agency will be overseen by Cook County’s Inspector General.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
Cook County Health Systems Should Livestream Their Meetings
With Cook County Health Systems receiving over $100 million from county taxpayers, it makes sense that they should strive for as much transparency as possible.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Illinois Parents, Drivers, Employees — Know These New Laws For 2019.
From rules of the road to school code requirements, here are some important laws that took effect in the New Year.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Lawmakers Introduced Nearly Two Hundred Bills With the Potential to Weaken Government Transparency
The BGA Policy Team finds that in just two years, nearly two hundred bills changing the Freedom of Information Act were assigned to as many as 40 committees in the Illinois General Assembly.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Leven: Zombie Hearings at City Hall
Since January of 2017, the mayor and aldermen have made as many as 70 calls for public hearings and expert testimony. But, not all of them actually happen.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Leven: The City Needs to Get to Work on Cleaning Up its Recycling Program
The BGA Policy Team highlights a way forward for the City of Chicago’s recycling program.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
With One Change Needed to Protect Transparency, the BGA Supports the Consent Decree
The BGA testifies that language protecting public access to police documents should be improved in the Chicago police consent decree that is an important achievement.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: Evaluating the State Supreme Court Candidate and Other Judges Remains a Tough Task
The retention of an Illinois Supreme Court justice is one of the lowest-profile for a high-powered position.