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Check out our new podcast — new episodes posted regularly!

Another Case of Clout Politics

A new report by the Better Government Association gives stark examples of the benefits of insider connections in Springfield under the reign of former House Speaker Michael Madigan, who resigned last year after close associates were indicted on bribery charges. BGA highlights several projects benefiting entities with connections to Madigan. They were among hundreds of millions of dollars worth of …

County Ethics Reform

Mixed results on county ethics reform A couple of years ago, ethics reform for Cook County government appeared to be dead in the water. Good Government Illinois brought attention to the issue through media appearances, coordination with other reform groups, and a virtual town hall with major reform proponents. Last month the Cook County Board finally passed some significant revisions …

GOOD NEWS FRIDAY: Chicago leads with guaranteed income pilot

The guaranteed income pilot project included in the city’s new budget – initiated by progressive aldermen and embraced by Mayor Lightfoot – puts Chicago in the lead of a national movement to address income inequality and economic insecurity. Of course, more needs to be done – including action on the state level. “Chicago’s City Council made history by passing what …

WATCH: A Conversation With U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

Following President Joe Biden’s first bold and visionary speech to a Joint Session of Congress, we are excited to invite you to join Good Government Illinois’ David Orr for A Conversation With U.S. Senator Dick Durbin to discuss how we as Democrats are to safeguard our democracy and heal the soul of our nation. We’ll get into HR1/SR1, filibuster reform, …

WATCH: Virtual Town Hall on the Illinois Budget w/ Rep. Robyn Gabel & Ralph Martire

How can we make a tough budget more progressive? How do we prevent inequitable budget cuts? What are refundable tax credits, and are they an answer to reducing inequity?  Join Good Government Illinois’s David Orr and Ralph Martire, Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability and State Representative Robyn Gabel, for a dive into the Illinois state budget.  Our state …

Watch Now: Town Hall with Jan Schakowsky

Congresswoman Schakowsky Virtual Town Hall Announcement Graphic

How has the congressional transition been from Trump to the Biden Administration? How have Democrats in the House been able to co-exist with congress members who fueled the January 6th insurrection? And what are the expectations of our leaders of Biden’s first 100 days in office? Watch back Good Government Illinois David Orr’s discussion with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, co-sponsored by …

Watch Now: Ethics Part II Virtual Town Hall

Watch our Ethics Part II from Tuesday, January 26 at 7 p.m. with Alderman Michele Smith, Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, and Illinois State Senator Elgie Sims, Jr, hosted by David Orr and co-sponsored by Reform for Illinois and Our Revolution Illinois. Click here: https://www.facebook.com/187336521917338/videos/134019415210950