The Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability has thrown another major proposal into the mix of Chicago police reform efforts. What is the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability and might it bring some stability to a volatile period for Chicago police oversight?
Rachel L. Leven
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Leven: City Council Needs to Practice Patience When it Comes to Union Contracts
When City Council gets used to ceding final control of the contract negotiations to the mayor’s office, it increases the risk of taxpayers and service recipients getting a bad deal.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
What’s in Chicago’s Newest Union Contracts? Lower Wage Increases, Higher Healthcare Costs
The agreements with the Coalition of Unionized Public Employees (COUPE) are the first in a new generation of collective bargaining agreements for the City of Chicago.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
BGA Testifies For Inspector General For Chicago’s Sewage District
For a governing body bigger than many Illinois cities and towns, the BGA told commissioners, creating an OIG is “an environmental and fiduciary imperative.”
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
BGA’s Leven: Cook County Officials Start Planning For Next Budget Shortages Now
The BGA urges the board to re-channel their energy and, today, commit to prioritizing the long-term health of the county’s budget.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Collaborations Between Chicago And Cook County Saved Millions. There’s Still Room For More
In 2011, newly elected Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced a joint committee to explore ways the two jurisdictions might work together. Then it went dark.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Rodents Today, Dollars Tomorrow: Chicago’s Annual Rodent Budget Talk
Getting a handle on the ratty truth.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
What’s Really New About Chicago’s Newest Police Oversight Office?
The Independent Police Review Authority recently morphed into the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. BGA Policy Manager Rachel Leven explains what that means as the city searches for a new leader to head the new police watchdog agency.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
BGA’s Leven: How To Keep Chicago’s Sewage District Clean of Corruption
Better oversight of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is not just a no-brainer — it’s an environmental and fiduciary imperative.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Calculator: What An Illinois Income Tax Hike Means For You
Included in the budget Illinois lawmakers approved on July 6th was a 1.2 percentage point increase in Illinois’ income tax rate. Use our custom-made calculator to figure out how it impacts you and your family.