Category Archives: Streamlining Government
Chicago Inspector General Releases 63 ‘Budget Options,’ Proposes $3 Billion in Savings for 2012
Different year. Different administration. Same story: the city of Chicago has a fiscal mess to clean up. To that end, Inspector General Joseph Ferguson releases a “Budget Options Report” meant to “support efforts to balance the budget by arming the … Continue reading
Filed under Fiscal Reform, Inspector General, Streamlining Government, TIFs
A Step Toward Streamlining Government in Cook County
Illinois just took one small step toward streamlining government sprawl. Under the new law signed by Gov. Pat Quinn on Friday, residents in individual townships in Cook County can now vote on whether to eliminate the office of highway commissioner … Continue reading
Filed under Cook County, Legislative Update, Streamlining Government, Townships
Statewide update—August 1, 2011
Chicago Sun-Times—Tax-free-palooza: Music fest that hired Daley nephew got pass on tax, “Lollapalooza got its latest waiver from the city’s 5 percent amusement tax in the waning days of the administration of Mayor Richard M. Daley, whose nephew Mark Vanecko … Continue reading
Filed under Streamlining Government
Statewide update—April 11, 2011
Daily Herald—Township leaders’ benefits, “Taxpayers spent more than $1 million last year to cover health care benefits for 77 elected leaders in suburban townships. Those same officials paid nothing for their insurance coverage. An investigation of insurance costs for 50 … Continue reading
Filed under Streamlining Government
BGA Poll Results: Vote “Aye” On Cutting Chicago’s City Council
Get out the chain saw and start slicing away. That’s the overriding sentiment of more than 100 BGA followers who participated in an ongoing online poll about streamlining the size of the Chicago City Council—one of the hottest civic discussions … Continue reading
Filed under Chicago City Council, Streamlining Government
POLL: Cut Chicago’s City Council?
Should Chicago cut the size of its City Council? It’s a conversation the BGA initiated back in December, with a look at council sizes around the country. Last week, Chicago Mayor-elect Emanuel indicated he was open to the idea as … Continue reading
Filed under Chicago City Council, Polls, Streamlining Government
In General Assembly, a Surprise Call to Farm Out Controversial Bills
What does proposed state legislation about guns, child abuse, women’s health and gaming have in common? Besides touching on some of society’s hot-button issues, all of these bills are scheduled for examination and debate before the Illinois General Assembly’s House … Continue reading
Filed under Legislative Update, Streamlining Government
Vox Populi: Regular Folks Respond To BGA Chicago Mayoral Questionnaire
No more parking meter deals without representation! Or at least a financial audit! That’s a rallying cry the next mayor of Chicago should heed before attempting to spin off any major public assets, such as Midway Airport or the city’s … Continue reading
Should Chicago Cut the Size of its City Council? BGA Analysis Does the Math
UPDATE — Jan. 20, 2011: BGA’s Policy & Government Affairs Coordinator Emily Miller discusses the City Council on Outside the Loop Radio. LISTEN HERE >>> Should the size of Chicago’s City Council be significantly reduced? That’s a question being raised … Continue reading
Filed under Chicago City Council, Streamlining Government
