If done right, an Inspector General at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District will fight corruption and help improve operations and save money – potentially identifying millions in missed revenue or potential savings.
Policy
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
How to Create Independent Oversight of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and its $1 Billion Budget
The BGA’s Policy Team presents best-practice recommendations for oversight of the Chicago area’s water reclamation district, one of the region’s biggest governments.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
BGA-Backed Plan to Limit Six-Figure Severance Deals Approved by Senate
A proposal to protect taxpayers by ending golden parachutes for public executives now heads to the House. Being asked to leave shouldn’t be like hitting a lottery jackpot, the BGA says.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
BGA’s Policy Team Testifies for Small Donor Matching Campaign Finance Legislation
A small donor democracy matching program would improve fairness and ballot accessibility, giving more candidates a chance to run.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: If You Knew Your Vote Didn’t Count, Would You Speak Up?
Gerrymandering steals your vote and your voice. Fight for fair maps now.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
Tell Illinois Lawmakers to Vote for the Fair Maps Amendments
Join the BGA in telling lawmakers to end gerrymandering and draw fair legislative and congressional maps without regard to politics.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
How to Get to Compromise from Chaos in Police Accountability
Three proposals for community input into policing currently sit in the City Council. Finding the middle ground will be difficult but critical.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
Following BGA Analysis, Sen. Cullerton Introduces Plan to Limit Rich Severance Packages
Cullerton legislation was prompted by BGA examination of multiple golden parachute cases that cost Illinois taxpayers millions along with research on best practices in other states.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: Here Are Hundreds of Government Boards We Should Do Without In Illinois
Police and fire pension fund consolidation will create efficiencies and significantly reduce costs, improving many towns’ ability to finance the retirements promised to public safety workers.
Posted inAnalysis, Investigation, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: As Media’s Presence Shrinks, Taxpayers Suffer
As print and broadcast media keep shedding staff to cut costs, public officials face less and less scrutiny, emboldening them to misbehave with impunity, laws and taxpayers be damned.