David Greising

David Greising is president of the Better Government Association, publisher of the Illinois Answers Project and home to the BGA Policy website. A former Tribune business columnist, Greising broke into professional journalism covering Harold Washington’s run for mayor at the City News Bureau of Chicago. His Tribune column appears every other Friday.

Paul LaGrassa, key judge, right, carries an American flag while Bryan Keane, election coordinator, puts up a poster marking an accessible entrance before the start of voting at the Boathouse at Park #571 in Chicago’s 11th Ward in the Bridgeport neighborhood on Election Day, Feb. 28, 2023. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: If we held city elections on the same day as national elections, it would strengthen democracy

September 11, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

In many cities, the ballots cast in municipal elections significantly increases after the switch to voting on national election days.

The EdgeConneX CHI03 data center on July 22, 2026, in Elk Grove Village. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Gov. JB Pritzker’s pause on data centers isn’t a long-term plan

August 28, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

There are costs with data centers, and there are benefits. There are potential windfalls and huge risks.

House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch addresses reporters hours after the end of the spring legislative session at the Illinois Capitol on June 1, 2026, in Springfield. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Illinois House speaker’s only way out of latest government scandal is through ethics reform

August 14, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Illinois is once again facing scandal because elected leaders, when handed the opportunity to clean up government, have mostly just taken a pass.

State Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, center, sits in the House chamber as lawmakers discuss bills at the Illinois State Capitol on April 8, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Rep. Harry Benton resigned after misconduct allegations. The state owes us a report.

July 20, 2026 at 12:34 p.m.

A lack of a report on Harry Benton is a shortcoming in implementation of the state’s ethics law.

The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago’s Jackson Park on June 3, 2026. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Gentrification is happening near the Obama Presidential Center. What can be done?

June 19, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Chicago was not up for the job of protecting the neighborhood to the west of the Obama Center from gentrification.

Leslie Darling, center, chair of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, meets with ISFA board members and staff at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Feb. 21, 2024. (Antonio Perez/ Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: What’s wrong with using the old Illinois Sports Facilities Authority to help keep the Bears?

June 5, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

If new and improved financing authority is the answer, perhaps it would be best to start with the ISFA, rather than creating two new agencies.

Clouds pass over Soldier Field on April 23, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Chicago’s parking meter deal was rushed. The Bears megaprojects bill shouldn’t be.

May 22, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Illinois could be days away from passing the megaprojects bill with untold millions in tax breaks for the Bears.

Mayor Brandon Johnson rides the elevator down after meeting with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch in Welch’s office at the Illinois State Capitol building on May 6, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: The mayor makes a plea for his Bears plan, but Springfield is megaprojects bill-bound

May 8, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The mayor calls for a taxpayer-owned Chicago Bears arena, even though the megaprojects bill is custom-designed for an Arlington Heights stadium.

State Rep. Kam Buckner listens as fellow state Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado answers questions while meeting with a House committee on a transit funding plan during the legislative session at the Illinois Capitol on Oct. 29, 2025, in Springfield. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Illinois’ megaprojects bill should go no further. The effects would ripple beyond the Bears.

April 24, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

There are too many unanswered questions in the Illinois megaprojects bill to responsibly pass such a consequential law in such a rush.

Kevin Johnson, left, of Working Family Solidarity, speaks outside the Chicago Housing Authority offices on April 7, 2026, to announce that they are filing an Open Meetings Act lawsuit against the CHA. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Mayor Brandon Johnson pins his hopes on Open Meetings Act to oust CHA chief

April 10, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The Open Meetings Act is Mayor Brandon Johnson's key tool in his effort to nullify the Chicago Housing Authority’s election of a new CEO.

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