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.

David Greising: Many of the ideas for closing Chicago’s budget gap won’t make a dent

September 26, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

About half the task force's ideas won't make much difference. Some are not politically likely or do not fall within the mayor's progressive agenda.

Gov. JB Pritzker steps out to speak after visiting the National Museum of Mexican Art in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago on Sept. 9, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Gov. JB Pritzker should keep his attention on the work needed to offset Donald Trump’s actions

September 12, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

When Gov JB Pritzker gets distracted by the rhetoric about the guard, he risks taking his eyes off mitigating damage from Donald Trump's other actions.

Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling attends the funeral for Officer Krystal Rivera on June 25, 2025, at Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: With the National Guard in the offing, what is the status of Chicago’s crime problem?

August 29, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Donald Trump may have lawless intent. But that hardly means Chicagoans should accept the level of lawlessness on the city’s streets.

Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks to reporters at the Illinois State Capitol before meeting with lawmakers on April 30, 2025, in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Without more political finesse, the mayor’s revenue ideas will never become reality

August 15, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The mayor's ideas to plug the budget deficit will likely fail because he has failed to develop effective relations with government leaders.

The mayor’s rostrum after a Chicago City Council meeting April 16, 2025, at City Hall. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Civic leaders: The mayor and City Council should use these 10 principles to steer Chicago to fiscal stability

August 8, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Instead of fighting over a shrinking resource pie, the city must grow that pie by promoting more business and population growth.

Aldermen Timmy Knudsen, 43rd, from left, Maria E. Hadden, 49th, and Bennett Lawson, 44th, speak during a Chicago City Council meeting at City Hall on July 16, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Chicago aldermanic privilege raises its stubborn head again. This time against granny flats

August 1, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Thanks to pushback from “Bungalow Belt” aldermen, a yearslong push to allow coach houses and basement apartments in Chicago will need to wait.

State Sen. Robert Martwick, center, works at his desk during debates on bills on the Senate floor at the Illinois State Capitol on May 29, 2025, in Springfield. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Civic leaders: Gov. JB Pritzker should veto bitter pension sweetener for Chicago

July 16, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.

No one wants to be miserly when it comes to our first responders, but the Illinois pension bill makes a very bad situation even worse.

A Pace bus leaves the Howard CTA station in Rogers Park on May 22, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Where does transit funding and oversight stand in Chicago? Should we panic?

June 20, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

With no revenue resolution yet in sight, the service agencies — the CTA, Metra and Pace — need to begin contingency planning now.

New pickleball courts as well as baseball and soccer fields are located along an extended South Wells Street inside The 78, a long-vacant, 62-acre former rail yard site in the South Loop south of Roosevelt Road, as seen on June 1, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: The conversation about new sports stadiums in Chicago just got simpler

June 6, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The Chicago Fire owner's move to build a stadium stirred the spirits of a city that’s tired of team owners asking taxpayers to lay out billions.

Illinois public employees rally for reform of the Tier 2 pension system at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on Nov. 13, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Civic leaders: State lawmakers still have time to adopt a measured fix for Tier 2 pension problem

May 27, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Meaningful pension reform isn’t just desirable; It’s essential for Illinois’ future solvency and prosperity.

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