Department of Assets, Information and Services The Department of Assets, Information and Services, which oversees the city’s physical buildings and facilities, motor pool and IT infrastructure, was created in the […]
Research & Analysis
Posted inPolicy
BGA Budget Hearings Snapshot: Department of Water Management, Department of Buildings and Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability
Department of Water Management The Department of Water Management oversees treatment and delivery of the city’s drinking water and the first stages of wastewater and runoff removal. Wastewater treatment and […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
BGA Budget Hearings Snapshot
Mayor Lori Lightfoot introduced her proposed city budget for 2023 on Monday, Oct. 3. City Council begins meeting on Thurs., Oct. 6 for a twelve-day series of departmental budget hearings, at which budget staff and department heads are available to answer questions from the alderpersons.
Posted inPolicy
BGA Budget Hearings Snapshot: Department of Human Resources, City Clerk, and City Treasurer
Department of Human Resources The city’s Department of Human Resources manages the city’s hiring, firing and employee discipline administration, including the civil service testing and application process. DHR also manages […]
Posted inPolicy
BGA Budget Hearings Snapshot: Office of Budget and Management, Mayor’s Office and Department of Finance
Office of Budget and Management The Office of Budget and Management oversees the city’s budget, including preparing and presenting the annual budget. OBM hearings typically include questions from alderpersons about […]
Posted inPolicy
Budget Analysis: Chicago’s Office of Public Safety Administration Cost City More Than It Saved
New department created $4.3 million in staffing savings but $139.8 million in overhead costs.
Posted inPolicy, Research & Analysis
Analysis: Skipped Votes in Chicago’s City Council, Remote Meetings vs. In-Person
A Better Government Association Policy Team analysis of City Council’s voting patterns found a sharp increase in missed votes after meetings went remote during the pandemic.
Posted inPolicy, Research & Analysis
Inspectors General: Chicago Among Nation’s Strongest But Lacks Power to Publish Reports
A BGA Policy comparison of major U.S. cities found Chicago’s Office of Inspector General among the strongest watchdog agencies in the nation — but it lacks independent authority to release its findings to the public, keeping Chicago out of the top-tier cities for governmental oversight.
Posted inPolicy, Research & Analysis
A City Council Staffing Shuffle? Could Happen Under New Bills from Beale, Reilly
New Department of Assets, Information and Services reduced spending growth by $1.8 million per year post-merger, exceeding $1 million savings target.
Posted inPolicy, Research & Analysis
Side by Side Comparison of City Council Parliamentarian Bills
Two separate ordinances, O2021-2901 (Beale, 9th Ward) and O2022-656 (Reilly, 42nd Ward) both propose a renamed and expanded legislative support office for City Council, taking on the duties of the […]