In a legal opinion solicited by the Better Government Association, Chicago law firm Loevy + Loevy found no legal prohibitions to an ordinance proposed by City Council ethics chair Ald. […]
Policy
Posted inPolicy Statements
BGA Policy Calls on House and Senate Leaders to Create Transparent Online Archives for Proceedings
Last month, we sent a letter to the Senate President and Speaker of the House requesting that they update their chambers and join the 44 other states that have free archives online […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
BGA Vice President of Policy testifies in favor of anti-SLAPP legislation
Chairwoman Gong Gershowitz, Spokesperson Ugaste, My name is Bryan Zarou, and I am the Vice President of Policy at the Better Government Association. The Better Government Association strongly supports HB1077. […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
Mayor and Allies Obstruct Inspector General Reforms –“Outright Hostility to Ethics and Oversight”
Close mayoral ally Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez on Wednesday delayed a reform measure championed by ethics committee chair Ald. Matt Martin and Inspector General Deborah Witzburg, using a parliamentary process to divert the ordinance to the rules committee.
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Alleging Obstruction, Chicago’s Inspector General Turns to City Council for Stronger Laws
In a memo sent Friday to the Chicago City Council’s ethics committee, city Inspector General Deborah Witzburg laid out a series of what her office characterizes as obstructions by the […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
Better Government Association Statement: Madigan Trial Verdict
Former longtime Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan today was found guilty by a jury on 10 out of 23 charges, including conspiracy, bribery and other charges in relation to a jobs-for-votes scheme and additional abuses of public office.
Posted inPolicy Agenda
BGA State Policy Agenda 2025-2026
Learn about the BGA Policy’s agenda for the State of Illinois in 2025-2026.
Posted inPolicy Statements
BGA, Civic Federation, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability Statement on Budget Transparency Ordinance
Chicago’s city council is set to vote on a package of ordinances setting the municipal budget for 2025. A late start, the mayor’s failure to provide detailed information requested by […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Department of Procurement Services – BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot
Departmental Highlights Snapshot: Appropriation & Staffing Changes from 2024 Budget 2024 Budgeted 2025 Proposed Net Change Percent Change Appropriations $14,605,398 $13,978,092 -$627,306 -4.3% Positions & FTEs 136 131 -5 -3.7% […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Department of Law – BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot
Departmental Highlights Snapshot: Appropriation & Staffing Changes from 2024 Budget 2024 Budgeted 2025 Proposed Net Change Percent Change Appropriations $46,229,759 $45,920,152 -$309,607 -0.7% Positions & FTEs 427 406 -21 -4.9% […]