The proposed 2024 budget for the City of Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first, offers relatively modest increases in citywide spending and staffing, with a 1.3% increase in appropriations and a […]
Research & Analysis
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Growth of “Finance General” Category in Chicago’s Budgets Obscures Departmental Costs; Reflects Rising Pension and Borrowing Expenses
A yearly Chicago ritual is about to begin. Oct. 16 marks the start of two weeks of budget hearings, when department heads will appear before City Council to take questions […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Johnson Proposes Longest City Budget Timeline in Recent History
Chicago’s historically short budget deliberations are creeping longer and longer, but still wrap up much faster than most major U.S. cities.
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Lightfoot’s Outgoing Executive Orders Defy Precedent; Court Conflicts with Council
Executive-office pens in the City of Chicago saw a flurry of activity during the transition from Lori Lightfoot’s mayoralty to Brandon Johnson’s. The outgoing mayor issued thirteen executive orders during […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
How a FOIA Loophole in Illinois Puts Kids at Risk
A BGA Policy analysis of the 16 county detention centers across Illinois has found that only three successfully have completed audits mandated by federal law to enforce protections against sexual […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Chicago’s City Council Spends One-Third of Its Meetings on Honorary Speeches
Chicago’s City Council is off to a slow start in 2023: Only about 40% of its time in session so far this year – or about two of every five […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Illinois Legislative Oversight is Weak Compared to Other States
Legislative watchdog is ill-equipped compared to other Illinois watchdogs
Posted inResearch & Analysis
How Illinois Courts Are Hidden From FOIA
Transparency allows the people of Illinois to see into the inner workings of their government and hold their elected officials accountable. But there is still one area shrouded in darkness: the judicial branch of Illinois government.
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Analysis: Cost of Chicago Legal Judgments and Settlements
Despite improvements in budgeting for lawsuit costs under the Lightfoot administration, police settlements continue to exceed budgets, while other departments are not required to budget for payments.
Posted inPolicy
BGA Budget Hearings Snapshot: Department of Transportation, Chicago Public Library and Department of Law
Department of Transportation Change Highlights and Context Chicago Public Library Change Highlights and Context Department of Law Change Highlights and Context