Policy

Perspectives

Insights and views from our policy team on the challenges we face in government and politics along with potential solutions in persuasive perspective pieces, which are often published in partnership with major media.

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Perspective

Dillon: Serious About Ethics Reforms? Start Here

The General Assembly needs a fully empowered inspector general. It also needs stronger laws against legislative misconduct.
Nov 19, 2019 11:00 AM
Perspective

Dillon: Don’t Count on Illinois Lawmakers to fix Weak Ethics Laws. Gov. J.B. Pritzker Needs to take Charge

Why have multiple reform efforts failed to clean up the state Capitol? One answer is that the General Assembly never fixed the laws that apply to itself.
Nov 11, 2019 2:00 PM
Perspective

Dillon: Time to Talk (Again) About Taxing Retirement Income

Illinois is an outlier when it comes to taxing retirement income — it simply doesn't. That means younger generations will shoulder a tax burden they didn't create. That's a disincentive for them to stay.
Oct 15, 2019 2:00 PM
Perspective

Dillon: No More Parking Meter Deals

The City Council's Office of Financial Analysis can help aldermen make sound decisions about money matters. This ordinance will unlock that power.
Oct 11, 2019 11:10 AM
Perspective

Dillon: What Part Of 'No Golden Parachutes' Is So Hard To Understand?

A new law meant to end outrageous severance deals for public executives took effect Jan. 1. It didn't take long for Western Illinois University to find a way around it.
Sep 17, 2019 3:00 PM
Perspective

Dillon: Let the people speak (for more than 30 minutes)

Chicago aldermen should welcome citizen participation at City Council meetings — instead of acting like public input is something to be endured.
Sep 11, 2019 3:00 PM
Perspective

Dillon: Time to Bite the Bullet on Consolidation

Eliminating some of Illinois' nearly 7,000 local governments is part of any serious discussion about property tax relief.
Aug 20, 2019 3:00 PM
Perspective

Dillon: Tired of Being Lumped With All Those Felons? Aldermen, You Know What to Do

As aldermen coming under the scrutiny of law enforcement, it's high time they start policing themselves.
Jul 23, 2019 5:30 PM
Perspective

Dillon: Will Lawmakers Have the Nerve to Cash Back Pay?

Every year from 2009 to 2016, lawmakers made a big bipartisan show of voting to freeze their salaries. Now some of them want to claw back those raises, for themselves and all lawmakers who gave them up.
Jul 17, 2019 12:00 PM
Perspective

Dillon: Real Life Lessons in Civics From Springfield

The repeated stalling of the Fair Maps Amendment contradicts the textbook narrative about elected representatives who carry out the will of voters. Civics teachers are going to have some explaining to do.
Jun 19, 2019 12:00 PM

Perspectives

Dillon: Serious About Ethics Reforms? Start Here

Dillon: Don’t Count on Illinois Lawmakers to fix Weak Ethics Laws. Gov. J.B. Pritzker Needs to take Charge

Dillon: Time to Talk (Again) About Taxing Retirement Income

Dillon: No More Parking Meter Deals

Dillon: What Part Of 'No Golden Parachutes' Is So Hard To Understand?

Dillon: Let the people speak (for more than 30 minutes)

Dillon: Time to Bite the Bullet on Consolidation

Dillon: Tired of Being Lumped With All Those Felons? Aldermen, You Know What to Do

Dillon: Will Lawmakers Have the Nerve to Cash Back Pay?

Dillon: Real Life Lessons in Civics From Springfield