Northern Illinois University
Department of Public Administration
School of Public and Global Affairs

Christopher B. Goodman is an assistant professor in the Department of Public Administration. Goodman received his Ph.D. in public administration and policy from the University of Georgia. His research focuses on why local areas make the governance decisions they do. As with most research in this realm, these decisions are inextricably linked to issues of public spending, taxation and state policy. I tend to focus on specific questions dealing with the special district form of local government as these governments are under-researched in the relevant literature.

Areas of Expertise

• Local public finance
• Local government management
• Intergovernmental affairs 

Selected Publications

Goodman, Christopher B. forthcoming "The Fiscal Impacts of Urban Sprawl: Evidence from U.S. County Areas." Public Budgeting & Finance.

Goodman, Christopher B. forthcoming "Local Government Fragmentation: What Do We Know?" State & Local Government Review.

Goodman, Christopher B. and Suzanne M. Leland. 2019. "Do Cities and Counties Attempt to Circumvent Changes in their Autonomy by Creating Special Districts?" The American Review of Public Administration 49 (2): 203-217.

Goodman, Christopher B. 2018. "House Prices and Property Tax Revenues During the Boom and Bust: Evidence from Small-Area Estimates." Growth & Change 49 (4): 636–656.