The BGA policy team urges Chicago aldermen to remove obstacles that prevent their fiscal advisory staff from doing its job. The office was created to provide independent guidance on matters involving taxpayer dollars.
Marie C. Dillon
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Dillon: What Part Of ‘No Golden Parachutes’ Is So Hard To Understand?
A new law meant to end outrageous severance deals for public executives took effect Jan. 1. It didn’t take long for Western Illinois University to find a way around it.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Dillon: Let the people speak (for more than 30 minutes)
Chicago aldermen should welcome citizen participation at City Council meetings — instead of acting like public input is something to be endured.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Dillon: Time to Bite the Bullet on Consolidation
Eliminating some of Illinois’ nearly 7,000 local governments is part of any serious discussion about property tax relief.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Dillon: Tired of Being Lumped With All Those Felons? Aldermen, You Know What to Do
As aldermen coming under the scrutiny of law enforcement, it’s high time they start policing themselves.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
BGA Testifies For Ethics Reforms For Chicago
The BGA characterized Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s proposed ethics changes “only a start,” and urged aldermen to send a strong signal about their commitment to finishing the job.
Posted inPerspectives, Policy
Dillon: Will Lawmakers Have the Nerve to Cash Back Pay?
Every year from 2009 to 2016, lawmakers made a big bipartisan show of voting to freeze their salaries. Now some of them want to claw back those raises, for themselves and all lawmakers who gave them up.
Posted inPerspectives, Policy
Dillon: Real Life Lessons in Civics From Springfield
The repeated stalling of the Fair Maps Amendment contradicts the textbook narrative about elected representatives who carry out the will of voters. Civics teachers are going to have some explaining to do.
Posted inPerspectives, Policy
Dillon: Clear City Ethics Rules and Bigger Penalties for Scofflaws? Yes, Please.
Ethical violations by Chicago aldermen and city officials ought to carry meaningful consequences. Proposed reforms would do that.
Posted inPerspectives, Policy
Dillon: Lawmakers Should Seek Reasonable Registration Bump for Electric Vehicles
Any conversation about funding road improvements ought to include discussion of how to make the electrics chip in, too.