The Office of Budget and Management (OBM) is responsible for the administration of the city’s budget. Because OBM oversees the preparation of each department’s budget, as well as the non-departmental […]
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 inResearch & Analysis
Office of the Mayor – BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot
The office of the mayor contains the mayor’s administrative staff and several small offices focused on specific policy areas, such as the Office of Equity and Racial Justice, Office of […]
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Finance General – BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot
The finance general category is a budgetary catch-all for non-departmental spending. There is no dedicated budget hearing devoted specifically to finance general appropriations, although in recent years it has made […]
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BGA Policy 2025 City of Chicago Budget Overview
Mayor Brandon Johnson released his proposed 2025 budget for the City of Chicago on Wednesday, Oct. 30. As in previous years, BGA Policy will release a series of department-specific budget […]
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Potential Impacts of Proposed Public Funding Option on Chicago Ward Elections
Legislation introduced in June by City Council ethics chair Matt Martin (47th Ward) would add a public funding option for aldermanic candidates starting in the 2027 election cycle. To evaluate […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Proposed Public Funding for Chicago Elections Could Give $200,000 Boost to Small-Donor Campaigns
A proposal from City Council ethics chair Ald. Matt Martin (47th) would add a public funding option to Chicago’s campaign finance landscape, bringing the city more in line with its […]
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One Year In, Johnson’s City Council Spends One-Third of its Time on Honorary Resolutions
A year of City Council meetings since the 2023 elections hasn’t seen much change in the body’s time management: Roughly one-third of regular meeting time, from the end of public […]
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Campaign Cash from City Contractors Target of New Ethics Ordinance
New limitations on campaign contributions from the owners and executives of city contractors could potentially keep hundreds of donations and hundreds of thousands of dollars out of Chicago’s next election […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Hidden Costs: Proposed FOP Contract Contains Millions in Raises, New Protections from Discipline
Salaries and bonuses for Chicago police officers represented by the Fraternal Order of Police in 2024 could exceed the budgeted position costs approved by City Council by $76.8 million or […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Johnson Proposes Historically Large Pay Raises for Police
Rank-and-file salaries could add more than $200 million to police budget under new offer.