Christopher B. Goodman

Christopher B. Goodman is an Associate Professor of Public Administration at Northern Illinois University. His research focuses on local public finance, intergovernmental affairs, and urban policy, with a particular emphasis on special districts and state preemption of local laws.

• Ph.D., University of Georgia

Goodman’s work explores governance decisions in local governments, especially how public spending, taxation, and state policies shape municipal actions. He has extensively studied special districts as understudied governance structures and the implications of state-level preemption on local autonomy.

His recent publications analyze trends in state preemption of workers’ rights laws, affordable housing policies, and the fiscal impacts of overlapping jurisdictions. Articles also address special district dissolution patterns and Chinese import shocks on local finance.

Contact: cgoodman@niu.edu, Office IA 204, Phone 815-753-6146. Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (lunch break: noon-1 p.m.).