As print and broadcast media keep shedding staff to cut costs, public officials face less and less scrutiny, emboldening them to misbehave with impunity, laws and taxpayers be damned.
Andy Shaw
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: Illinois Primary Reveals Election Flaws That Need Fixin’
We’re lamenting the system’s failure to give candidates and voters the election they deserve in a healthy democracy, and promoting reforms to consider in the run-up to November.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: Time for a Watchdog at Metropolitan Water District
Is the government branch that cleans our water ready to clean up its own act?
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: Three Steps to Fix Illinois’ Broken Budget Process
In the eyes of multiple fiscal experts, the budget process is objectively flawed—a case study in worst practices.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: Can Cell Phone Voting Be A Secure Election Reform?
If casting a ballot could be as easy as downloading and using a secure app, it could be a key to vastly increasing anemic voter participation.
Posted inPress Release
Why I’m Stepping Down and BGA’s Bright Future — A Personal Message from Andy Shaw
As I approach my 70th birthday, the time is right for someone else to take over day-to-day management of the BGA.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: Police Shootings in Suburban Chicago Show ‘Massive Failure of Government’
Several police shootings in suburban Cook County have led to lawsuits and settlements, but zero internal discipline. How could such reprehensible policing continue unabated and undisclosed for so long?
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: When Government ‘Pulls a Lucy’
Chicago City Council is infamous for contemplating a good government reform and then yanking out those key elements before a final vote.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: Is IL Ready To Attack Bureaucratic Bloat And Save Money?
There comes a time—a day of reckoning actually—when important issues that generally make our eyes glaze over because of their discomfiting terminology start making us mad.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: 30 Years After Harold Washington, A More Welcoming Chicago
New Department of Assets, Information and Services reduced spending growth by $1.8 million per year post-merger, exceeding $1 million savings target.