Policy

Illinois is about average when it comes to transparency, accountability and conflicts of interest, according the Center for Public Integrity’s latest State Integrity Investigation, which gave Illinois and a majority of states a grade of C.

The plan highlights more than 40 potential efficiencies, including consolidating departments, tapping new revenue streams, eliminating programs, transferring services and cutting expenses.

Illinois residents pay $2,350 per capita in various taxes to support those units of local government, fourth-highest rate, according to a BGA analysis.

In the wake of clout-hiring allegations, among other problems, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District needs to implement reforms — and start justifying its existence.

Government bankruptcy is a mystery to most of us in Illinois because there’s been no compelling reason to explore this arcane chapter of the federal bankruptcy code—until now.

Perhaps we’d see more progress in Springfield on the big issues if the leaders whose names we do recognize would start listening to their lesser-known rank-and-file colleagues.

It took more than a year of complaints, a Springfield intervention, and even pleas from members of Congress, before the Emanuel administration agreed to hear from homeowners concerned about excessive jet noise from O’Hare Airport.