Perspective

The Navy Pier TIF shell game reported by BGA/Crain’s is just the latest transgression in a city TIF program that’s been steeped in secrecy and mired in controversy since its inception three decades ago. It’s time for Chicago to get its TIF act together.

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.

Several longtime lawmakers are leaving Springfield. Can we learn from these departures? Can we turn exits into insight?

The Emanuel administration released plans this month for a state-of-the-art facility for fire and police training. Chicago residents need straight answers about the scope and funding of this project.

Illinois has a budget after two years without one. How do we make sure it doesn’t happen again?

Both Chicago and Cook County, reputably closed off from the public eye, are taking steps toward more public accessibility.

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.

BGA President & CEO Andy Shaw reflects on his rocky, half-century relationship with CPS.

When it comes to the nitty-gritty details of police reform, the city and the U.S. Justice Department won’t do enough. The time has come for Attorney General Lisa Madigan to step in.

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