Policy

Analysis

The BGA policy team researches, reviews and tracks hundreds of policy proposals and analyzes best practices nationwide to provide Illinoisans with the context and historical understanding they need to engage with their government.

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Analysis

Redistricting, Taxes, Streamlining Government. The BGA’s Candidate Questionnaires Will Teach You What You Need to Know to Vote

Read the candidates’ responses before you head to the polls to make sure your vote is an informed one.
Oct 1, 2018 12:30 PM
Analysis

Keeping With the Times: Chicago Would Be in Good Company If It Broadcast and Recorded Its Committee Hearings

The big policy debates happen in committee hearings and right now you can only catch them in person.
Sep 12, 2018 9:40 AM
Analysis

Going To The DMV? Now You Can Register To Vote Too!

The first part of automatic voter registration has been implemented at DMVs around the state. From now on, when you go to the DMV to renew your driver’s license, the state will check and update your voting registration card for you.
Jul 2, 2018 5:00 AM
Analysis

14 Ways to Improve Chicago's Police Contracts

One major component of police accountability remains unaddressed — police union contracts — and it could seriously damage the efforts in other areas if left undone.
Jun 29, 2018 11:30 AM
Analysis

A BGA Policy Progress Report: Curbing Severance, Protecting FOIA, Consolidating Government

Here’s how we worked to make government more transparent and accountable to you.
Jun 5, 2018 12:00 PM
Analysis

Rescuing Illinois’ Public Safety Pension Funds

Nearly 98 percent of public safety funds in Illinois have more liabilities than assets. Advocates and officials have pushed to consolidate these hundreds of pension funds.
May 9, 2018 6:00 AM
Analysis

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.
May 3, 2018 4:45 AM
Analysis

Statewide Police and Fire Pension Fund Database: How Much Does Your Town Owe?

Illinois has the most police and fire pension funds in the country, and many are underfunded. Use our tool to see how your town's funds measure up.
Apr 5, 2018 11:40 AM
Analysis

Examining Another Plan to Shift Pension Costs Back to Schools

Rauner's proposal to shift state pension obligations for educators back to their employers, local school systems and universities isn't new or unique to Republicans.
Mar 27, 2018 6:00 AM
Analysis

Hate Asking for One Party's Ballot? Here's How It's Done Elsewhere

Every primary election, we hear complaints from family and friends about the fact that they have to ask an election judge for a Democratic, Republican, or Green party ballot. That isn't so in other states.
Mar 26, 2018 2:00 PM

Analysis

Redistricting, Taxes, Streamlining Government. The BGA’s Candidate Questionnaires Will Teach You What You Need to Know to Vote

Keeping With the Times: Chicago Would Be in Good Company If It Broadcast and Recorded Its Committee Hearings

Going To The DMV? Now You Can Register To Vote Too!

14 Ways to Improve Chicago's Police Contracts

A BGA Policy Progress Report: Curbing Severance, Protecting FOIA, Consolidating Government

Rescuing Illinois’ Public Safety Pension Funds

How to Create Independent Oversight of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and its $1 Billion Budget

Statewide Police and Fire Pension Fund Database: How Much Does Your Town Owe?

Examining Another Plan to Shift Pension Costs Back to Schools

Hate Asking for One Party's Ballot? Here's How It's Done Elsewhere