A unanimous Illinois Supreme Court ruling yesterday in a case called Chapman v. Chicago reverses a lower court’s ruling and blocks plaintiff Matt Chapman’s open records request for information from the City of Chicago’s Department of Finance. The court’s ruling undermines the public’s right to know about the workings of government and is a threat to research, journalism and the public interest.
Policy
Posted inPolicy Statements
“ComEd Four” Trial Underscores Need for Strengthened Ethics Reforms
In response to today’s guilty verdict in the federal corruption of former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, lobbyist Mike McClain, former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker, and former lobbyist and City Club […]
Posted inOpenGov
How to Introduce Legislation to Chicago City Council: A Step-by-Step Guide
We typically think of new laws as being written and introduced by elected officials, but thanks to a quirk of Illinois law and Chicago City Council rules, any individual can […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
How a FOIA Loophole in Illinois Puts Kids at Risk
A BGA Policy analysis of the 16 county detention centers across Illinois has found that only three successfully have completed audits mandated by federal law to enforce protections against sexual […]
Posted inPolicy
Brandon Johnson is Chicago’s Next Mayor. Here’s Where He Stands on Government Transparency and Ethics
During his campaign for mayor, Johnson completed a questionnaire from the BGA Policy that asked for his positions on various issues such as policing, public safety, education, and economic development.
Posted inPerspectives
Cubbage: City Council Has New Committees. Now It’s Time to Reform Committee Staffing.
The City Council has an opportunity to eliminate the practice of letting individual committee chairs control the hiring of their staff.
Posted inPolicy Statements
Chicago’s City Council is Ready for a Reorg – and New Members Should Have Their Say
The Better Government Association and the League of Women Voters of Chicago support a more independent Chicago City Council, but caution against letting the current body set the rules for the incoming membership.
Posted inPolicy Agenda
BGA Policy Agenda: City of Chicago 2023-2027
Learn about the BGA Policy’s agenda for the City of Chicago in 2023-2027
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Chicago’s City Council Spends One-Third of Its Meetings on Honorary Speeches
Chicago’s City Council is off to a slow start in 2023: Only about 40% of its time in session so far this year – or about two of every five […]
Posted inPolicy
FOIA, Council Independence, IG Reports: Mayoral Candidates Address the Big Good-Government Questions
Mayor Lightfoot is only contender who declined to respond.