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

Leven: It's Time For the Council Office of Financial Analysis to Get Working

Agreement to expand the powers of the City Council's financial analyst is welcome. But, after almost five years, it’s time to see what this office can produce.
May 22, 2018 6:00 PM
Perspective

Doubek: Will Lawmakers Find the Will to Respond to #MeToo Challenges?

As the clock ticks, lawmakers must find the courage to fix their own broken ethics systems.
May 21, 2018 6:30 PM
Perspective

Doubek: Investigator Needed for the Biggest Government We Ignore

Water reclamation district commissioners are on the right track in creating an inspector general.
May 7, 2018 7:15 PM
Perspective

Doubek: If You Knew Your Vote Didn't Count, Would You Speak Up?

Gerrymandering steals your vote and your voice. Fight for fair maps now.
Apr 23, 2018 5:00 PM
Perspective

How to Get to Compromise from Chaos in Police Accountability

Three proposals for community input into policing currently sit in the City Council. Finding the middle ground will be difficult but critical.
Apr 16, 2018 2:55 PM
Perspective

Doubek: Here Are Hundreds of Government Boards We Should Do Without In Illinois

Police and fire pension fund consolidation will create efficiencies and significantly reduce costs, improving many towns’ ability to finance the retirements promised to public safety workers.
Apr 9, 2018 6:30 PM
Perspective

Shaw: As Media's Presence Shrinks, Taxpayers Suffer

As print and broadcast media keep shedding staff to cut costs, public officials face less and less scrutiny, emboldening them to misbehave with impunity, laws and taxpayers be damned.
Apr 6, 2018 6:00 PM
Perspective

Doubek: Let's Try Opening Up Ballots and Primaries

Why should you have to tell an election judge you’re a Democrat or Republican?
Mar 26, 2018 6:00 PM
Perspective

Shaw: Illinois Primary Reveals Election Flaws That Need Fixin'

We’re lamenting the system’s failure to give candidates and voters the election they deserve in a healthy democracy, and promoting reforms to consider in the run-up to November.
Mar 23, 2018 6:00 PM
Perspective

Leven: Community Commission for Public Safety is Reform with a Capital-R

The Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability has thrown another major proposal into the mix of Chicago police reform efforts. What is the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability and might it bring some stability to a volatile period for Chicago police oversight?
Mar 15, 2018 7:00 PM

Perspectives

Leven: It's Time For the Council Office of Financial Analysis to Get Working

Doubek: Will Lawmakers Find the Will to Respond to #MeToo Challenges?

Doubek: Investigator Needed for the Biggest Government We Ignore

Doubek: If You Knew Your Vote Didn't Count, Would You Speak Up?

How to Get to Compromise from Chaos in Police Accountability

Doubek: Here Are Hundreds of Government Boards We Should Do Without In Illinois

Shaw: As Media's Presence Shrinks, Taxpayers Suffer

Doubek: Let's Try Opening Up Ballots and Primaries

Shaw: Illinois Primary Reveals Election Flaws That Need Fixin'

Leven: Community Commission for Public Safety is Reform with a Capital-R