BGA Policy Mayoral Candidate Questionnaire
The results are in! The commitment to transparency, accountability and equity within city government is key for any elected official. After all, we can’t successfully attack our most pressing problems without improving the very foundation of honest and transparent governing. Allowing the release of public documents through the Freedom of Information Act and committing to…
Illinois Legislative Oversight is Weak Compared to Other States
Legislative watchdog is ill-equipped compared to other Illinois watchdogs
How Illinois Courts Are Hidden From FOIA
Transparency allows the people of Illinois to see into the inner workings of their government and hold their elected officials accountable. But there is still one area shrouded in darkness: the judicial branch of Illinois government.
BGA Budget Hearings Snapshot: Department of Assets, Information and Services, Department of Procurement Services and Chicago Animal Care and Control
Department of Assets, Information and Services The Department of Assets, Information and Services, which oversees the city’s physical buildings and facilities, motor pool and IT infrastructure, was created in the 2020 budget by the merger of the city’s Fleet and Facility Management and Information Technology departments. An August 2022 Better Government Association analysis found that…
BGA State Policy Agenda 2023
The Better Government Association policy team researches, drafts, supports and advocates for legislation that improves transparency, efficiency, equity and accountability in government in Illinois. We actively seek to work with other policy advocates, the public and government officials to advance these important goals, for the benefit of the people of Illinois. Outlined below are BGA’s…
Your
Transparency Watchdog
BGA OpenGov is the Illinois affiliate of the National Freedom of Information Coalition.
Without access to information about the workings of government, it would be impossible for citizens to determine whether taxpayer dollars were being spent responsibly and equitably, or to hold public servants accountable for their actions.
Court Transparency Coalition
BGA Policy is proud to lead the Court Transparency Coalition in its mission to add the judicial branch to the Freedom of Information Act in the state of Illinois.
Updated: Illinois Public Salaries Database
Review, explore and compare compensation for state employees.
Latest News
Provided by the Illinois Answers Project
Policy Statements
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.
BGA Policy Statement: BGA Supports Resolution Requiring 48-Hour Notice for Direct Introductions to City Council Committees
The BGA policy team supports R2022-687, a resolution modifying Chicago City Council’s internal rules to require 48-hour notice and public posting of any measures introduced into the City Council’s committees.
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.
New: Get Involved
Get Involved
Tools to help you locate your elected lawmakers based on where you live and follow legislation we’re tracking.
See What the Illinois State Legislature Is Doing
Better Government Association believes in transparency and accountability, which is why we have partnered with FastDemocracy to bring you some of the most powerful tools to keep tabs on your lawmakers in Springfield and their legislative actions.
Perspectives
Cubbage: It’s Past Time for the City Council To Name Its Own Committee Leadership
There’s no reason for the City Council to maintain its unspoken power-sharing agreement with the mayor when it comes to committees.
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.
Zarou: Zoom Meetings Make State Government Accessible. But It’s Critical To Preserve In-Person Meetings
From this point forward, online systems — on Zoom or similar platforms — should always be available for the benefit of those who can’t attend public meetings. But that’s as far as it should go.
Research & Analysis
BGA Budget Hearings Snapshot
Mayor Lori Lightfoot introduced her proposed city budget for 2023 on Monday, Oct. 3. City Council begins meeting on Thurs., Oct. 6 for a twelve-day series of departmental budget hearings, at which budget staff and department heads are available to answer questions from the alderpersons.
Analysis: Chicago Outspends and Outstaffs NYC, LA on Communications and Public Relations
Emanuel-era surge in CPD public relations staff, maintained in Lightfoot’s budgets, puts Chicago ahead of peer cities in comms spending per capita and as a proportion of overall budget
Search Our Databases
UPDATED: ILLINOIS PUBLIC SALARY DATABASE
Review, explore and compare compensation for public employees throughout Illinois.
ILLINOIS PUBLIC PENSIONS DATABASE
Follow the money paid to retired public-sector employees throughout Illinois.
Opinion
Greising: Are Chicago’s Mayoral Candidates Conjuring Up Useful Solutions for the City’s Challenges?
Are Chicago’s mayoral candidates conjuring up useful solutions for the city’s challenges? Mayor Lori Lightfoot hasn’t come up with simple fixes to the city’s problems. That may be because she knows how tough the job can be.
Greising: Pritzker’s Appearance at Davos Could Mark a Turning Point
The forum at Davos built its reputation as a place where unlikely partners could get results. Gov. J.B. Pritzker should consider going again.
Greising: If State’s High Court Blocks It, Pritzker May Find Another Path To Carry Out Cash Bail Reform
It was a no-brainer that the Illinois Supreme Court needed to step in to avert chaos once a Kankakee County judge invalidated portions of a state law designed to end most forms of cash bail in Illinois. Trouble was, Judge Thomas Cunnington’s ruling affected 65 of 102 Illinois counties, the ones that sued to block implementation of…
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