Ed Bachrach

2 months ago | chicago.suntimes.com | Ted Dabrowski |John Klingner |Ed Bachrach

Illinoisans concerned about their ever-growing tax bills will want to push back against the next government handout in the making. State lawmakers and government unions are working to sweeten pensions yet again. The total cost to taxpayers of the various benefit-hike proposals range from a few billion dollars to as much as a whopping $80 billion. Any of those proposals will make Illinois’ already insurmountable pension burden even more unbearable.

Sep 12, 2024 | chicago.suntimes.com | Ed Bachrach |Austin Berg

The recent firing of two Chicago police oversight officials and subsequent calls for Andrea Kersten, chief administrator of the Chicago Office of Police Accountability, to resign add another unfortunate chapter in the drama that is Chicago policing. More importantly, they are symptoms of an obvious failure in Chicago governance. The failure is this: Our policing is political, not professional. Professional policing involves constitutional practices and effective community policing.

Jul 26, 2024 | chicagotribune.com | Ed Bachrach

If you want to see a great Chicago film, in my opinion the greatest, see “Medium Cool.” The 1969 film will be screened at the Music Box Theatre on Monday evening. There are at least 10 reasons why it’s worth viewing. First, though, you should know that this is a masterpiece by the legendary Chicago cinematographer and filmmaker Haskell Wexler, whose work and life were by themselves remarkable.

Nov 8, 2023 | chicagotribune.com | Ed Bachrach |Austin Berg

The annual Chicago city budget process is trite and predictable. It is also negligent and irresponsible in several important ways, failing to address the core problems of the city’s finances. Here’s how it goes. Just before an autumn deadline, the mayor’s office releases a budget projection for the next year. It shows an alarming deficit but gives hope that money can be found to fill the gap.

Sep 12, 2023 | chicagobusiness.com | Austin Berg |Ed Bachrach |Jane McEnaney

In recent years, Chicago has ranked as the No. 1 most-corrupt city in the nation with the most federal public corruption convictions per year. Chicago city government isn't just problematic: It is uniquely problematic. Chicago, unlike nearly all major cities in the United States, does not have a city charter outlining its rules and limitations. Enacting a charter has garnered support from mayoral candidates and city leaders over the years, but it has floundered.