A small donor democracy matching program would improve fairness and ballot accessibility, giving more candidates a chance to run.
Policy
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: If You Knew Your Vote Didn’t Count, Would You Speak Up?
Gerrymandering steals your vote and your voice. Fight for fair maps now.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
Tell Illinois Lawmakers to Vote for the Fair Maps Amendments
Join the BGA in telling lawmakers to end gerrymandering and draw fair legislative and congressional maps without regard to politics.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
How to Get to Compromise from Chaos in Police Accountability
Three proposals for community input into policing currently sit in the City Council. Finding the middle ground will be difficult but critical.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
Following BGA Analysis, Sen. Cullerton Introduces Plan to Limit Rich Severance Packages
Cullerton legislation was prompted by BGA examination of multiple golden parachute cases that cost Illinois taxpayers millions along with research on best practices in other states.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: Here Are Hundreds of Government Boards We Should Do Without In Illinois
Police and fire pension fund consolidation will create efficiencies and significantly reduce costs, improving many towns’ ability to finance the retirements promised to public safety workers.
Posted inAnalysis, Investigation, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: As Media’s Presence Shrinks, Taxpayers Suffer
As print and broadcast media keep shedding staff to cut costs, public officials face less and less scrutiny, emboldening them to misbehave with impunity, laws and taxpayers be damned.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Statewide Police and Fire Pension Fund Database: How Much Does Your Town Owe?
Illinois has the most police and fire pension funds in the country, and many are underfunded. Use our tool to see how your town’s funds measure up.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Examining Another Plan to Shift Pension Costs Back to Schools
Rauner’s proposal to shift state pension obligations for educators back to their employers, local school systems and universities isn’t new or unique to Republicans.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: Let’s Try Opening Up Ballots and Primaries
Why should you have to tell an election judge you’re a Democrat or Republican?