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.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks during a news conference on the fifth floor of City Hall on Jan. 27, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: What are Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plans for stopping abuses by immigration agents?

January 30, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s big moment to issue a call against immigration agent abuses was a whimper. He set no plan for what to do next.

Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, second from left, talks with members of the Chicago City Council's Office of Financial Analysis before moderating a discussion on the city's budget gap, during a public meeting at the Ukrainian Cultural Center on Aug. 19, 2025. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Chicago aldermen would be wise to strengthen the council’s Office of Financial Analysis

January 16, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Chicago faces a projected $1.17 billion budget gap for 2027. There is work to be done now, before politics make the challenge even more difficult.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks to the media at City Hall after meeting with a group of City Council members to talk about the city’s budget Dec. 15, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s billion-dollar borrowing plan is risky business

December 19, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson's borrowing plans, which will have both immediate and yearslong ramifications, have not gotten enough focus.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s gavel on the rostrum after his budget address to the City Council on Oct. 16, 2025, at Chicago City Hall. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: The problem with Mayor Brandon Johnson’s community safety fund plan

December 5, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson isn’t putting big new money toward public safety programs; he just doesn't want voters to foot the bill.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s fifth floor office at City Hall on Oct. 22, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Chicago government can’t afford to shut down. We need good-faith budget negotiations.

November 21, 2025 at 3:42 p.m.

The Chicago budget fight is a classic political standoff, and the major players on both sides need to work through their differences.

People wait for a Red Line CTA train at the Sheridan Red Line station in Uptown on Aug. 21, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

David Greising: Gov. JB Pritzker pushed back on the transit bill. He needs to do that with pensions.

November 7, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Illinois must keep an eye on the way Gov. JB Pritzker handles pension reform, which is the next long-standing concern on the state’s agenda.

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

Civic leaders: State lawmakers should reject massive pension benefit sweetener

October 10, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

A union-backed pension proposal would saddle Illinois taxpayers with $80 billion-plus in additional pension contributions.

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.

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