Watch the Virtual Town Hall on Chicago Finances

On Tuesday, July 14, Good Government Illinois hosted Alderman and Finance Chair Scott Waguespack and Alderman Matt Martin for a discussion about Chicago’s finances and what’s coming up in City Council.

Virtual Town Hall with Congresswoman Robin Kelly

Congresswoman-Robin-Kelly-Virtual-Town-Hall-Good-Government-Illinois

Join Good Government Illinois for a Virtual Town Hall with Congresswoman Robin Kelly, moderated by former Cook County Clerk and Alderman David Orr. Congresswoman Kelly will be discussing legislation addressing the federal government’s response to COVID-19, the stimulus bills already passed, and what she and the House are working towards for future action. RSVP here – https://bit.ly/3eSYADk

Open Letter Urging City Council to Approve Emergency Powers

Dear Members of the City Council, As you know, Chicago is facing an extraordinary emergency with COVID-19. Mayor Lori Lightfoot is asking for, and frankly requires, emergency powers to procure the necessary PPE for our front-line workers and life-saving equipment for those stricken with this virus. These are not ordinary times. As lawmakers know, the normal contracting process can be …

Virtual Town Hall with Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi

RSVP-Announcement-for-Good-Government-Illinois-Virtual-Town-Hall-Cook-County-Assessor

Find out what changes the Cook County Assessor’s Office is making during the COVID-19 pandemic, and learn about the reforms Assessor Kaegi believes are necessary to reduce property taxes on Cook County residents, including more Title 1 funding and the continued modernization of the Assessor’s Office. Space is limited. Please RSVP below to be sent a link to the event …

Chicago’s Political Future – Aldermanic Panel Discussion

David Orr moderates panel discussion with Ald. Scott Waguespack, Ald. Sue Garza, Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, Ald. Matt Martin, Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez

A aldermanic panel discussion moderated by David Orr, founder of Good Government Illinois. Panel includes: Alderman Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) Alderwoman Susan Sadlowski Garza (10th Ward) Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez (33rd Ward) Alderman Matt Martin (47th ward) Co-sponsored by: Our Revolution Chicago and Chicago Women Take Action. This event took place at Truman College on June …

Post-Election Highlights

A great day for good government yesterday. It was the beginning of serious reform in Chicago. Lori Lightfoot‘s amazing first place victory set the scene for a movement away from pay-to-play old school Chicago politics and toward accountability and seriously confronting racism and inequality. Several new aldermen were elected or got into a runoff: Maria Hadden (63.8%) beating Joe Moore …

Election Reforms for Illinois

Petition filing for the February municipal election in Chicago, a process that is painful and costly for candidates and confusing for voters, ended Monday. But it’s only the beginning of a very expensive month of litigation around voters’ signatures. In May of this year, after once again experiencing an expensive and frustrating ballot access fight during the primary, I released …

Interview about Chicago Machine

Illustration: Kathryn Rathke

Politics is the art of managing conflict. I don’t even like politics that much. I like social justice. I like helping people. What I despise is the misuse of power, the pettiness. I know politicians who’ll do something really bad or say a lie about you, and it’s “Oh, David, that’s just politics.” I was raised in a Republican family. …