Chicagoans deserve the most effective, accountable and trustworthy big-city government in the United States. We work to make that vision a reality – bringing responsible government principles and healthy civic engagement to Chicago’s political structure and culture.
Chicago business activity skid hits two years
Chicago business activity skid hits two years
A barometer of business health shows Chicago’s decline worsened in November 2025.
REPORTS
5 ways to end Chicago’s stagnant growth
5 ways to end Chicago’s stagnant growth
High taxes, red tape and fiscal mismanagement have stalled Chicago’s economy, but smart reform could get it growing again.
Vallas: Legislation buys CTA time to fix itself, but will it?
Vallas: Legislation buys CTA time to fix itself, but will it?
New taxes buy the Chicago Transit Authority some time, but state lawmakers failed fix anything that led to the crisis. Here are three ways city leaders can fix the CTA.
Chicago-area Transit crisis: 7 principles to guide Illinois transportation reform
Chicago-area Transit crisis: 7 principles to guide Illinois transportation reform
Transit reform can support Illinois riders and taxpayers. These seven principles outline a path to affordability, accountability and efficiency.
Chicago loosens granny flat rules, still lags California
Chicago loosens granny flat rules, still lags California
Chicago just expanded where accessory dwelling units can be built, but California’s sweeping reforms show how far the city still has to go.
Unused office space could mean more Chicago housing
Unused office space could mean more Chicago housing
New York City has seen success in converting office space into residences. Chicago should do the same.
Fines per Chicagoan more than triples since 1996 to prop up city budget
Fines per Chicagoan more than triples since 1996 to prop up city budget
Chicago’s 2025 budget needed $345 million in fines, forfeitures and penalties. It was $99 million 30 years ago. What will the new budget extract from residents?
Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits
Chicago Forward 2026: A pro-growth plan to end city budget deficits
Chicago’s $1.15 billion projected budget gap is the latest in a decades-long string of structural deficits. Making Chicago’s high taxes worse is not the solution.
As more states push to consolidate local elections, Illinois should follow their lead
As more states push to consolidate local elections, Illinois should follow their lead
States are pushing to consolidate elections into fewer election days. Aligning municipal with gubernatorial and federal elections streamlines voting and could increase voter turnout.
Chicago budget rises over 2X faster than other big cities
Chicago budget rises over 2X faster than other big cities
Not enough revenue? How about too much spending. Chicago outpaces many of America’s biggest cities with a 62% spending spike since 2019. That’s what’s driving deficits.
Other major cities provide a roadmap for Chicago’s Inaugural City Charter Commission
Other major cities provide a roadmap for Chicago’s Inaugural City Charter Commission
The City of Chicago needs a city charter that will bring some certainty to city government. It should learn from the experiences of other cities when choosing the people who will draft that charter.
Pritzker further undermines Chicago police, fire pensions
Pritzker further undermines Chicago police, fire pensions
Gov. J.B. Pritzker had a chance to stop a bill putting taxpayers on the hook for $11.1 billion in inflated pension benefits for Chicago police and firefighters. He blew it. Taxpayers will be paying the price for decades.