Mayor Brandon Johnson released his proposed 2026 budget for the City of Chicago on Thursday, Oct. 16. As in previous years, BGA Policy will release a series of department-specific budget […]
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Posted inResearch & Analysis
Budget vs. Actual Spend: Chicago Police Only City Department to Overspend Local Funds Three Years Running
A BGA Policy analysis of actuals and encumbrances data from Chicago’s three most recent budget years (2022-2024) found that most city departments stayed well within their annual non-grant budgets. The […]
Posted inPerspectives
Bryan Zarou: The state of ethics reform in a post-Michael Madigan Illinois
Michael Madigan is going to prison, but Illinois still has work to do to make state government more accountable.
Posted inAnalysis
Analysis: Departmental Budgets Fall Short of Mandatory Minimums for City Oversight Agencies
Non-departmental calculated costs and accounting adjustments make up difference, BGA Policy analysis finds
Posted inPolicy Statements
BGA Calls on Illinois Attorney General to Investigate Apparent Violations of the TRUST Act
As a nonpartisan organization dedicated to accountability, transparency and equity within government, the BGA is concerned about recent reporting indicating the Illinois TRUST Act likely is being violated without urgency […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
BGA Supports Cook County Mosquito Abatement Evaluation
Last week, the Better Government Association spoke in front of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and supported a resolution that calls for evaluation of countywide mosquito abatement practices and […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
City Council Upheld the Mayor’s ‘Snap’ Curfew Veto. Here’s What Chicago Dodged.
The Chicago City Council passed a “snap” curfew ordinance on June 18 that allows the superintendent to impose short-notice curfews. Two days later, Mayor Brandon Johnson issued the first veto […]
Making it in Chicago
Join us for an evening with the Illinois Answers Project and the National Public Housing Museum exploring barriers to economic opportunity in Illinois and Chicago. At the center of the […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
City Council Ethics Chair Forces Procedural Vote on Stalled Protections for Inspector General Investigations
Ald. Matt Martin (47th Ward), chair of the City Council ethics committee, filed a procedural motion last week to reclaim a stalled ordinance from the rules committee. If successful, Martin’s […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
Better Government Association Statement: Madigan Sentencing Brings Justice; Highlights Need for Ethics Reform
A federal judge today sentenced former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan to 7-½ years in prison and three years’ probation, as well as a fine of $2.5 million. […]