Department of Water Management The Department of Water Management oversees treatment and delivery of the city’s drinking water and the first stages of wastewater and runoff removal. Wastewater treatment and […]
Geoffrey Cubbage
Geoffrey Cubbage is a policy and budget analyst focusing on the Illinois General Assembly and Chicago's City Council. Prior to joining the Better Government Association in 2022, Geoffrey served as Director of Policy and Economic Development for Chicago's 40th Ward.
Posted inPolicy
BGA Budget Hearings Snapshot: Department of Human Resources, City Clerk, and City Treasurer
Department of Human Resources The city’s Department of Human Resources manages the city’s hiring, firing and employee discipline administration, including the civil service testing and application process. DHR also manages […]
Posted inPolicy
BGA Budget Hearings Snapshot: Office of Budget and Management, Mayor’s Office and Department of Finance
Office of Budget and Management The Office of Budget and Management oversees the city’s budget, including preparing and presenting the annual budget. OBM hearings typically include questions from alderpersons about […]
Posted inPolicy
Budget Analysis: Chicago’s Office of Public Safety Administration Cost City More Than It Saved
New department created $4.3 million in staffing savings but $139.8 million in overhead costs.
Posted inPolicy
Budget Analysis: Merger of Chicago’s Information Technology, Fleet and Facility Departments Slowed Spending Growth
New Department of Assets, Information and Services reduced spending growth by $1.8 million per year post-merger, exceeding $1 million savings target.
Posted inPolicy
Analysis: Skipped Votes in Chicago’s City Council, Remote Meetings vs. In-Person
A Better Government Association Policy Team analysis of City Council’s voting patterns found a sharp increase in missed votes after meetings went remote during the pandemic.
Posted inPolicy
Inspectors General: Chicago Among Nation’s Strongest But Lacks Power to Publish Reports
A BGA Policy comparison of major U.S. cities found Chicago’s Office of Inspector General among the strongest watchdog agencies in the nation — but it lacks independent authority to release its findings to the public, keeping Chicago out of the top-tier cities for governmental oversight.
Posted inPolicy
Side by Side Comparison of City Council Parliamentarian Bills
Two separate ordinances, O2021-2901 (Beale, 9th Ward) and O2022-656 (Reilly, 42nd Ward) both propose a renamed and expanded legislative support office for City Council, taking on the duties of the […]
Posted inPolicy, Research & Analysis
A City Council Staffing Shuffle? Could Happen Under New Bills from Beale, Reilly
New Department of Assets, Information and Services reduced spending growth by $1.8 million per year post-merger, exceeding $1 million savings target.
Posted inPolicy
Chicago’s Inspector General Replacement Statutes Need an Update
The inspector general’s position has been vacant for over four months. BGA took a look at the laws that allow for delay and highlighted areas for improvement.