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

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

Three Ways To Improve Illinois’ Budget Process

Implementing any or all of these practices, experts say, might help put Illinois on better financial footing.
Feb 15, 2018 6:00 AM
Analysis

2018 Illinois Primary Election — Voters Guide and Candidate Questionnaires

The BGA asked candidates for contested state and Cook County-wide offices running in the 2018 primary how they would improve and expand government accountability, efficiency and transparency for the residents they would serve.
Feb 12, 2018 6:00 AM
Analysis

What's in Chicago's Newest Union Contracts? Lower Wage Increases, Higher Healthcare Costs

The agreements with the Coalition of Unionized Public Employees (COUPE) are the first in a new generation of collective bargaining agreements for the City of Chicago.
Feb 5, 2018 6:00 AM
Analysis

Too Many School Districts In Illinois? What You Should Know About School Consolidation

With 852 separate districts, Illinois has the third most school districts in the nation, bested only by Texas and California, whose populations are more than double ours.
Jan 17, 2018 6:00 AM
Analysis

Nine New Illinois Laws to Know in 2018

From expanding consumer protections to extending the powers of voters to consolidate local units of government, here is what you need to know in 2018.
Dec 27, 2017 11:45 AM

Analysis

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

Three Ways To Improve Illinois’ Budget Process

2018 Illinois Primary Election — Voters Guide and Candidate Questionnaires

What's in Chicago's Newest Union Contracts? Lower Wage Increases, Higher Healthcare Costs

Too Many School Districts In Illinois? What You Should Know About School Consolidation

Nine New Illinois Laws to Know in 2018