A City That Works

Policy analysis and ideas on how to make Chicago work better.

[Richard Day @richsday]

Over at @acitythatworks: A recent report found that we could free up more than 600 police officers at CPD to back into patrol and detective roles. But where should those officers go?

[Richard Day @richsday]

Over at @acitythatworks: More than 600 sworn Chicago Police Officers, with badges and guns, are doing desk work. That means they're working as secretaries, paralegals, and data analysts instead of police officers. It's a problem - and a huge opportunity for the department. (1/4)

[Conor Durkin @ConDurkin]

Today at @acitythatworks: unpacking the City of Chicago's decision to pull a bond issuance last month, citing unfavorable market conditions.

[Richard Day @richsday]

Over at @acitythatworks: Asian and European transit agencies are run by subject matter experts. American ones are run by local elected officials and community advocates. If we want the new Illinois transit reforms to succeed, we're going to look outside the US. (1/2)

[Richard Day @richsday]

Over at @acitythatworks: Chicago's planning department and the CEO of the Chicago Architecture Center are trying to block an effort to build more high rises in the city's hottest neighborhood. It's a troubling sign for the future of the city. (1/4)

[Richard Day @richsday]

Over at @acitythatworks: CTA's Red-Purple Modernization project was a great success. But now, as TIF dollars for the project keep piling up, the City Council should move quickly to sunset the special tax collection district. (1/3)

[Conor Durkin @ConDurkin]

Over at @acitythatworks: in the interest of not just being a naysayer, some suggestions on what we *should* be doing in this year's budget.

[Otis Reid @otis_reid]

My kingdom for best practice bus stop spacing in Chicago

[Daniel Biss @DanielBiss]

Join me next Wednesday for a conversation with @ACityThatWorks! Excited to talk about all the work we are doing in Evanston to lower costs, protect our environment, and keep our residents safe. Hope you can join us!
https://t.co/H01S4wS5ur

[Conor Durkin @ConDurkin]

Today at @acitythatworks: why the mayor's proposal to bring back the corporate head tax is a bad idea for the city of Chicago.

[Richard Day @richsday]

Over at @acitythatworks: Police officers are far more effective when deployed to the hotspots where violence is most likely to occur. But Chicago's current deployment practices are heavily skewed towards the least-violent parts of the city. (1/4)

[Richard Day @richsday]

Over at @acitythatworks, I took a deeper look at the Trump administration's assault on Chicago, and the actions we should take to respond. (1/3)

[Richard Day @richsday]

Excited to have @acitythatworks published in @CrainsChicago as part of a recurring partnership! And kind of surprised that they didn't change lead image on this one... https://t.co/QymLmvBAhl

[Joe Ferguson @JoeFergChicago]

More sound thinking on the fast-approaching regional public transit moment in the mid-October Springfield veto session from the good folks at @acitythatworks. Reform must precede $$$. @chicagobars https://t.co/1q2GNYaYPB

[Richard Day @richsday]

Over at @acitythatworks, @ConDurkin has an explanation of the best case CPS has for more money from Springfield: consolidating the CPS pension system with the rest of the state. Simply giving CPS equal treatment here could mean $600M more a year for our schools. (1/2)

[Conor Durkin @ConDurkin]

Today at @acitythatworks, an overview of why CPS should be asking Springfield for a CTPF / TRS merger, not more EBF money.

[Richard Day @richsday]

Over at @acitythatworks: Harjas Sandhu has a great piece breaking down Chicago's lead pipe problem. And I think it may have already helped trigger a City Council hearing next week? (1/3)

[Richard Day @richsday]

Over at @acitythatworks: Cell phones are not helpful for learning and socialization in schools. It was good to see JB Pritzker try to push through tighter rules during the last legislative session - and a shame that the bill couldn't get over the finish line (1/3)

[Joe Ferguson @JoeFergChicago]

Ahead of tonite’s fateful FY2026 budget vote, characteristically superb and timely overview of the @ChiPubSchools fiscal situation — precarious at best — from @ConDurkin of @acitythatworks.

https://t.co/U1gCPPZ5bd

[Richard Day @richsday]

Over at @acitythatworks, @ConDurkin has a great look at long term challenges sitting behind CPS's immediate budget woes.