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From Our President

Columns by BGA President & CEO David Greising.

From Our President

Greising: Extortion: There Oughta Be a Law! (But There’s Not in Illinois.)

The story of why extortion remains legal in Illinois, after all these years, gives some insight into the way the legislative sausage is made in our state — or not made, as the case may be.
Apr 16, 2021 11:35 AM
From Our President

Greising: Scrutiny of Navy Pier’s Operations Is Long Overdue

Taxpayers own Navy Pier, made a big investment in getting Navy Pier Inc. started—and have a compelling interest in knowing how it's being run.
Apr 9, 2021 3:00 PM
From Our President

Greising: Come Clean, Mayor Lightfoot: Do You Support an Elected School Board or Not?

As a candidate, Lori Lightfoot said she supported an elected school board. As mayor of Chicago, she's indicating she's changed her mind. Which is it, asks President David Greising.
Apr 2, 2021 10:35 AM
From Our President

Greising | The Next Big Test for Speaker Welch: A Fair Map

Welch this week took a step toward accountability by identifying one key parameter he will use to assess the maps as they’re drawn. “The end goal has to be to arrive at fair maps that have equitable representation for underserved and overlooked communities across the entire state”.
Mar 19, 2021 10:12 AM
From Our President

Greising: A Note for the Mayor: As We Judge History, History Will Judge Us

Reformer—or open-government reprobate? If Lightfoot doesn't begin delivering on her transparency promises soon, the answer will be obvious when the history of her administration is cast.
Mar 5, 2021 2:01 PM
From Our President

Greising: An Illinois House speaker talking about voter trust? More of that, please.

New Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch still is in the early days of his first big turn on the public stage. He told the Economic Club of Chicago last week that Gov. J.B. Pritzker should try a do-over on the graduated income tax — and then, in a forum the very next day, said he was just “spitballing” those remarks.
Mar 5, 2021 11:15 AM
From Our President

Greising: Pritzker’s Budget Is a Big ‘Never Mind’ After Years of Bold Talk

Last November, after Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “fair tax” proposal failed, the first-term governor warned of trouble ahead. Never mind all that. Gov. Pritzker’s $41.6 billion budget, delivered Wednesday, did not contain the deep cuts to education, social services and public safety he had foretold.
Feb 19, 2021 2:15 PM
From Our President

Greising: We’re About To See if Pritzker, Harmon and Welch Are Serious About Fair Maps

The Census Bureau's delay leaves less time for political games and posturing. It demands that House Speaker, Senate President and Governor exhibit leadership, urgently, and do the right thing.
Feb 5, 2021 3:01 PM
From Our President

Greising | Mayor Lori Lightfoot at the Midpoint: Can She Still Live Up to Her Campaign Promises?

The calendar quickly is approaching the second anniversary of the February 2019 municipal election that set Lori Lightfoot’s trajectory toward the mayor’s office. What a difference a couple of years — and a COVID-19 crisis — makes.
Feb 5, 2021 12:15 PM
From Our President

Greising: Welcome, Speaker Welch. Here’s Your To-Do List.

New Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch's early pronouncements of opposing the gerrymandering of electoral maps and calling for a 10-year limit on the terms of legislative leaders represented a verbal departure from Michael Madigan's methods. Will Welch continue down Madigan's path or choose a different way?
Jan 22, 2021 10:00 AM