Violent crime is an urgent problem in Chicago. But fires are killers, too, preying on people of color in poor neighborhoods.

David Greising
David Greising is the president and chief executive of the Better Government Association, joining the BGA in 2018. For nearly a century, the BGA has fought for honest and effective government through investigative journalism and policy advocacy.
Greising: If Vallas and Johnson Can Stick With the Issues, Chicagoans Will Be Better Off
Chicago mayoral runoff candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson clearly are ready to play hardball, not beanbag.
Greising: Annual Budget-Making Won’t Solve Illinois’ Pension Crisis. We Need a Far-Reaching Fix-It Plan.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker started his budget address on Wednesday with a passel of numbers meant to get our attention. During his first term, the state has eliminated a $17 billion backlog of […]
Greising: With Laurence Msall’s Passing, Chicago Has Lost a Noble Fighter for Fiscal Responsibility
The Civic Federation under Laurence Msall argued that fiscal responsibility was a prerequisite for all the other goals in Chicago and Illinois.
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 […]
Greising: Pritzker’s Presidential Daydreams Might Help the People of Illinois
How Gov. J.B. Pritzker addresses his gubernatorial to-do list matters to Illinoisans — as well as to his prospects for the presidency.
BGA launches new websites
The Better Government Association has a 99-year history of exposing failures of government in Chicago and Illinois. Today, we set a new course, with two new websites: Think of us […]
Greising: Mayor Lightfoot, aldermen should be able to agree on transparency, accountability
In the struggle between the mayor and the City Council, a separation of powers is the way to go.