It’s budget time for the City of Chicago! The City Council’s Budget Committee is in the midst of meeting with all the departments to go over the proposed budget for 2025 presented by Mayor Johnson.  

We can have a government that represents all of us and supports what our communities need, not what big-money donors and special interests want. LWV Chicago has endorsed Fair Elections Chicago’s campaign for public campaign financing.

The League, working in coalition with other local civic groups, sent a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson and City Council members urging that they deliver on their stated commitment to transparency.

LWV Chicago’s City Government Committee had a busy and productive 2023. Learn more about its work and how you can get involved!

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the City of Chicago has published two drafts of proposed audits and investigations for 2024. Submit your input by December 31!

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first budget proposal was released last week, totaling $16.6 billion and providing funding for many League environmental priorities.

At a recent City Council Committee meeting, three of the five items on the agenda were “Direct Introduction” items, whose texts were not available to the public until after the Committee and then the Council voted on them, using the Rule 41 loophole to bypass the normal process.

After a successful effort to change City Council Rules in March, the new Council changed the Rules again in May, once again allowing Direct Introduction Items. The League is back at it, working to increase government transparency and allow for public input.

What do YOU think about Chicago’s next police superintendent? Take this survey to tell the Community Commission what they should look for when they interview candidates.

We have urge members of the incoming City Council to make changes to the Council Rules in order to increase transparency and allow the public opportunity to give input.

On March 30, the City Council took the unprecedented step of approving the Council Rules of Order and Committee Chairs for the next Council, which takes office in May. Let’s talk about why the League opposed this vote.

We support a more independent Chicago City Council. Read our recommendations for changes to the City Council Rules, beginning a conversation with the new Council, which will take office in May..

The Better Government Association and the League of Women Voters of Chicago support a more independent Chicago City Council, but caution against letting the current body set the rules for the incoming membership.

Six City Council Committees met three or fewer times in 2022—where does the money go?

The City Council should close a loophole that leaves the public in the dark about what is being voted on. Read our Chicago Tribune Letter to the Editor.

While Chicago’s City Council is undoubtedly more transparent and accountable than ever before, it is high time we closed the gaping loophole that Rule 41 leaves in our city’s legislative process. 

Contact your alder by Tuesday, January 17, to let them know you support Item #R2022-1116, which would ensure that legislative items be posted for the public at least 48 hours before a City Council Committee meets.

This month, Chicago in Focus welcomed Joe Ferguson, Chicago’s former Inspector General, to discuss lasting structural reform of City government. Watch the recording!

The League will work with Alders Reilly and Waguespack to obtain approval of a proposal increasing transparency to the workings of the City Council.