Government officials from the White House to the field house, and every public building in between, often react to probing questions from investigative journalists and civic watchdogs with exaggerated levels of irritation normally reserved for invasions of swarming gnats at picnics.
Policy
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Taxpayers Deserve ‘Golden Parachute’
“Golden parachutes” may ensure soft, comfortable landings for high-level officials as they float down from lofty government jobs, but those excessive severance packages drop like lead balloons on the backs of taxpayers who get crushed by the cost.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Legal Fights Waste Your Tax Money
Sometimes saying “pretty please” to government officials gets you zip.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Pension Deal Must Address Abuses
Illinois lawmakers are returning to Springfield on Wednesday for a special session on the pension crisis.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
City Council Can Unleash Rahm’s Watchdog Pledge
When Rahm Emanuel was running for mayor, a mere two years or so ago, he enthusiastically supported the idea of an independent city inspector general—a watchdog that would investigate and help prosecute pay-rollers or vendors who stole from the public purse or gamed the system.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
A Good Day For Justice In Illinois
Lost in the chorus of catcalls from the pundits after Springfield’s colossal failure to agree on pension reform or gaming expansion or marriage equality — big issues that could have been resolved but weren’t — is a smattering of applause for a few things our anguished lawmakers did accomplish.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
BGA Legislative Wrap-Up: A Wrongful Convictions Win
The Illinois General Assembly’s spring legislative session came and went without lawmakers answering some huge policy questions, especially finding a fix to the state’s massive public pension crisis.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Emily Miller joins WGN Morning News
Emily Miller, Policy and Government Relations Coordinator at the Better Government Association, joins WGN Morning News to talk about the long-term repercussions of the pension deadlock.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Not Feeling The Love On Parking Meters
Mayor Emanuel’s negotiators are looking for some love as they argue for City Council approval of the concessions they wrung out of the loathsome parking meter contract.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Election Reform Boring? Not Really
What do these terms have in common: Debt ceiling, unfunded liability, sequester, infrastructure and filibuster?