Perspective

In Illinois, the Legislative Inspector General answers to a panel of legislators appointed by other legislators. No wonder this doesn’t work.

The General Assembly needs a fully empowered inspector general. It also needs stronger laws against legislative misconduct.

Why have multiple reform efforts failed to clean up the state Capitol? One answer is that the General Assembly never fixed the laws that apply to itself.

Illinois is an outlier when it comes to taxing retirement income — it simply doesn’t. That means younger generations will shoulder a tax burden they didn’t create. That’s a disincentive for them to stay.

The City Council’s Office of Financial Analysis can help aldermen make sound decisions about money matters. This ordinance will unlock that power.

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.

Chicago aldermen should welcome citizen participation at City Council meetings — instead of acting like public input is something to be endured.

Eliminating some of Illinois’ nearly 7,000 local governments is part of any serious discussion about property tax relief.

As aldermen coming under the scrutiny of law enforcement, it’s high time they start policing themselves.