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

Doubek: Illinois Has The Worst Pension Debt In The Nation. What's The Fix?

State budget? Check. School funding? Check. But pension debt and problems remain.
Sep 11, 2017 7:00 PM
Perspective

Shaw: Can You Have Good Politics Without Good Government?

Recent decisions reflect Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley's old adage: “Good government is good politics and good politics is good government.”
Sep 9, 2017 6:00 PM
Perspective

Nazi Slogans Defaced Our Chicago Neighborhood. Social Media Helped Us Fight Back.

How social media, ironically, re-tied the connections we’ve stopped making as a result of digital technology and ever-present screens.
Updated: Sep 2, 2017 @ 10:04 AM
Perspective

Shaw: Mayor Daley's Labor Legacy Presents Mayor Emanuel With 'Generational Moment'

91% of the City of Chicago workforce needs a new labor contract. What's your move, Mr. Mayor?
Aug 25, 2017 11:20 AM
Perspective

Doubek: New Laws Are Baby Steps Toward Streamlining Too Many Governments

Illinois has 1,800 more government units than even Texas. But a few new laws and a growing movement behind streamlining is good news for beleaguered taxpayers.
Aug 22, 2017 5:00 AM
Perspective

Shaw: Navy Pier Shell Game Cries Out For TIF Reform

The Navy Pier TIF shell game reported by BGA/Crain's is just the latest transgression in a city TIF program that’s been steeped in secrecy and mired in controversy since its inception three decades ago. It's time for Chicago to get its TIF act together.
Aug 12, 2017 6:00 PM
Perspective

Doubek: End The School Funding Divide-And-Conquer

For at least 25 years, we’ve been playing divide-and-conquer games over Illinois school funding, with our children as the dispensable collateral damage.
Aug 7, 2017 5:00 PM
Perspective

Learning From Those Leaving Springfield

Several longtime lawmakers are leaving Springfield. Can we learn from these departures? Can we turn exits into insight?
Jul 24, 2017 5:00 PM
Perspective

Wanted: Straight Talk About Chicago Police Training

The Emanuel administration released plans this month for a state-of-the-art facility for fire and police training. Chicago residents need straight answers about the scope and funding of this project.
Jul 22, 2017 6:00 PM
Perspective

How To Move From Impasse Illinois To Improving Illinois

Illinois has a budget after two years without one. How do we make sure it doesn't happen again?
Jul 10, 2017 6:00 PM

Perspectives

Doubek: Illinois Has The Worst Pension Debt In The Nation. What's The Fix?

Shaw: Can You Have Good Politics Without Good Government?

Nazi Slogans Defaced Our Chicago Neighborhood. Social Media Helped Us Fight Back.

Shaw: Mayor Daley's Labor Legacy Presents Mayor Emanuel With 'Generational Moment'

Doubek: New Laws Are Baby Steps Toward Streamlining Too Many Governments

Shaw: Navy Pier Shell Game Cries Out For TIF Reform

Doubek: End The School Funding Divide-And-Conquer

Learning From Those Leaving Springfield

Wanted: Straight Talk About Chicago Police Training

How To Move From Impasse Illinois To Improving Illinois