Illinois lawmakers are returning to Springfield on Wednesday for a special session on the pension crisis.
Policy
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
City Council Can Unleash Rahm’s Watchdog Pledge
When Rahm Emanuel was running for mayor, a mere two years or so ago, he enthusiastically supported the idea of an independent city inspector general—a watchdog that would investigate and help prosecute pay-rollers or vendors who stole from the public purse or gamed the system.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
A Good Day For Justice In Illinois
Lost in the chorus of catcalls from the pundits after Springfield’s colossal failure to agree on pension reform or gaming expansion or marriage equality — big issues that could have been resolved but weren’t — is a smattering of applause for a few things our anguished lawmakers did accomplish.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
BGA Legislative Wrap-Up: A Wrongful Convictions Win
The Illinois General Assembly’s spring legislative session came and went without lawmakers answering some huge policy questions, especially finding a fix to the state’s massive public pension crisis.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Emily Miller joins WGN Morning News
Emily Miller, Policy and Government Relations Coordinator at the Better Government Association, joins WGN Morning News to talk about the long-term repercussions of the pension deadlock.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Not Feeling The Love On Parking Meters
Mayor Emanuel’s negotiators are looking for some love as they argue for City Council approval of the concessions they wrung out of the loathsome parking meter contract.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Election Reform Boring? Not Really
What do these terms have in common: Debt ceiling, unfunded liability, sequester, infrastructure and filibuster?
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Spare Us The Snarky CTA Emails
The CTA is big news these days as transit officials begin the massive, and massively disruptive, Red Line overhaul on the South Side.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
On the Radio: BGA’s Policy Director
Emily Miller, the BGA’s policy director, talked to Springfield’s WJPF-AM about proposed legislation before the Illinois General Assembly that addresses the public safety issue of alcohol impairment for on-duty police officers throughout the state.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Civic Federation Issues Report Supporting Madigan Pension Fix
The Civic Federation, a Chicago-based non-partisan government research organization, is supporting House Speaker Michael J. Madigan’s comprehensive public pension reform bill.