CHICAGO (CBS) – The head of the Better Government Association is giving the Emanuel administration high marks for changing a controversial sick day policy at the City Colleges of Chicago.

WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports, in January, the BGA revealed former City Colleges chancellor Wayne Watson cashed in 500 unused sick days before leaving his job, netting him $500,000.

Now, the City Colleges’ board of trustees – appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel – has voted to freeze sick day payouts for non-union employees.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports

BGA President and CEO Andy Shaw praised the move. He said Emanuel deserves high marks for moving quickly over the past year when ethical breaches or other wrongdoing have been uncovered under his watch.

“This is the fourth or fifth time in this year that we, or others, have disclosed something that has resulted in a very quick change,” he said. “When we uncovered widespread credit card abuse at the (Board of Education), the Chicago Housing Authority, and the Park District, (Emanuel) shredded those cards, and he actually cashiered certain individuals.”

Any changes in sick day policy for union workers at the City Colleges will have to come through contract negotiations with labor unions.