Perspective

We’re drawing inspiration from Big Bird and “Sesame Street” to explain how Madigan and Cullerton, the legislative leaders who have presided over a deepening crisis and raised taxes without solving the state’s problems, get sent back to Springfield with even more power.

In the spirit of the season, we’re recognizing political figures who advanced the cause of better government following BGA investigations, regardless of their motivation.

In the spirit of the season, we’re recognizing political figures who advanced the cause of better government following BGA investigations, regardless of their motivation.

The BGA is recommending City Hall fully cooperate with the Office of the Inspector General as it examines claims the mayor’s press office has been surreptitiously, and perhaps illegally, taping phone conversations with reporters.

The BGA is recommending City Hall fully cooperate with the Office of the Inspector General as it examines claims the mayor’s press office has been surreptitiously, and perhaps illegally, taping phone conversations with reporters.

A familiar name from the political past surfaced in a BGA investigation of financial questions about a little-known public agency in west suburban Lyons Township.

We can’t prevent an unexpected calamity that sidelines an elected representative. But why not consider letting every senator and representative designate a “temporary replacement” for emergencies?

There are plenty of big stories in the media, enough to satiate even the hungriest news junkie. But it also means a lot of important political and governmental stories fall below the radar screen.

By ordering an outside audit of the city’s deal with Chicago Parking Meters LLC, Mayor Emanuel looks tough by sending a signal to the parking meter company that City Hall is minding the store and guarding the cash register.

Thanks to a deck that has been reshuffled and re-cut, the odds are even that legalized video gambling in Illinois can be fun for some players, profitable for some governments and, we hope, ruinous for fewer gaming addicts.