Office of Budget and Management The Office of Budget and Management oversees the city’s budget, including preparing and presenting the annual budget. OBM hearings typically include questions from alderpersons about […]
Policy
Posted inPolicy
BGA Policy Statement: City Council’s Leadership Should be Chosen by City Council
A resolution introduced into Chicago’s City Council for the Council–and not the mayor–to replace retired Ald. Michele Smith (43rd Ward) as chair of the Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight is a welcome and overdue assertion of City Council’s authority to appoint its own leadership.
Posted inPolicy
Budget Analysis: Chicago’s Office of Public Safety Administration Cost City More Than It Saved
New department created $4.3 million in staffing savings but $139.8 million in overhead costs.
Posted inPolicy
Budget Analysis: Merger of Chicago’s Information Technology, Fleet and Facility Departments Slowed Spending Growth
New Department of Assets, Information and Services reduced spending growth by $1.8 million per year post-merger, exceeding $1 million savings target.
Posted inPolicy, Policy Statements
Better Government Association Commends Passage of Chicago Ethics Ordinance–Sees More to Do
New Department of Assets, Information and Services reduced spending growth by $1.8 million per year post-merger, exceeding $1 million savings target.
Posted inPolicy
BGA Opposes City Council Bill to Allow Redacted COPA Reports
New Department of Assets, Information and Services reduced spending growth by $1.8 million per year post-merger, exceeding $1 million savings target.
Posted inPolicy, Policy Statements
Better Government Association Policy Statement: Amended Ethics Ordinance is Weaker but Still Valuable
New Department of Assets, Information and Services reduced spending growth by $1.8 million per year post-merger, exceeding $1 million savings target.
Posted inPolicy
Analysis: Skipped Votes in Chicago’s City Council, Remote Meetings vs. In-Person
A Better Government Association Policy Team analysis of City Council’s voting patterns found a sharp increase in missed votes after meetings went remote during the pandemic.
Posted inPolicy
Inspectors General: Chicago Among Nation’s Strongest But Lacks Power to Publish Reports
A BGA Policy comparison of major U.S. cities found Chicago’s Office of Inspector General among the strongest watchdog agencies in the nation — but it lacks independent authority to release its findings to the public, keeping Chicago out of the top-tier cities for governmental oversight.
Posted inPerspectives
Zarou: Aldermanic Ethics Reform Package Could Be a Second Chance for Lightfoot To Fulfill Her Vow
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s track record on reform is a mixed bag. A wide-ranging ethics reform proposal could help her follow through on her promises.