The City Council has an opportunity to eliminate the practice of letting individual committee chairs control the hiring of their staff.
Perspectives
Cubbage: It’s Past Time for the City Council To Name Its Own Committee Leadership
There’s no reason for the City Council to maintain its unspoken power-sharing agreement with the mayor when it comes to committees.
Zarou: Aldermanic Ethics Reform Package Could Be a Second Chance for Lightfoot To Fulfill Her Vow
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s track record on reform is a mixed bag. A wide-ranging ethics reform proposal could help her follow through on her promises.
Zarou: Zoom Meetings Make State Government Accessible. But It’s Critical To Preserve In-Person Meetings
From this point forward, online systems — on Zoom or similar platforms — should always be available for the benefit of those who can’t attend public meetings. But that’s as far as it should go.
Zarou: Illinois General Assembly Has the Chance To Act on Meaningful Ethics Reform
The state’s history of corruption has the public craving good government, empower the inspector general’s office as a start to restoring confidence.
Dillon: Will Lawmakers Have the Nerve to Cash Back Pay?
Every year from 2009 to 2016, lawmakers made a big bipartisan show of voting to freeze their salaries. Now some of them want to claw back those raises, for themselves and all lawmakers who gave them up.
Dillon: Real Life Lessons in Civics From Springfield
The repeated stalling of the Fair Maps Amendment contradicts the textbook narrative about elected representatives who carry out the will of voters. Civics teachers are going to have some explaining to do.
Dillon: Clear City Ethics Rules and Bigger Penalties for Scofflaws? Yes, Please.
Ethical violations by Chicago aldermen and city officials ought to carry meaningful consequences. Proposed reforms would do that.
Dillon: Lawmakers Should Seek Reasonable Registration Bump for Electric Vehicles
Any conversation about funding road improvements ought to include discussion of how to make the electrics chip in, too.
Leven: Will Chicago’s City Council Finally Put Responsibility for Compensating Injured City Workers in the City’s Hands?
Chicago is getting closer to running its injured workers program the right way.