The Better Government Association has a long history of investigating government waste, fraud, mismanagement, corruption, cronyism, nepotism and malfeasance. Along the way, the BGA has exposed ghost payroll scams, vote fraud and the use of public resources for private gain. Hard-hitting investigations drive the BGA’s effort to re-engage a frustrated electorate. Some of our investigations result from tips we get from whistleblowers or insiders, but ordinary citizens who are concerned about good government can also help us bring about authentic change.
A Familiar Name on the Metra Payroll |
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August 23, 2010 - BGA/Sun-Times Investigation
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Living the American Dream--On the Taxpayers' Dime |
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August 16, 2010 - BGA/Sun-Times Investigation
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Board Chair's Clients, Law Firm Get Business from City Colleges |
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August 16, 2010 - BGA/Catalyst Investigation
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CTA Rehires Bus Drivers with DUI's |
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August 12, 2010 - BGA/FOX Chicago Investigation
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Chicago's Use of Private Process Servers in Foreclosure Cases Raises Concern |
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July 22, 2010 - BGA/Chicago News Cooperative Investigation
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Dog-Gone: Wrong Animals Euthanized at Chicago's Dog Pound |
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July 14, 2010 - BGA/FOX Chicago/Sun-Times Investigation
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"Workin' on the Railroad" Pays Big Overtime Bucks at Metra |
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July 12, 2010 - BGA/Sun-Times Investigation
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Metra's Million Dollar Man Takes Commuters for a High-Priced Ride |
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July 11, 2010 - BGA/Sun-Times Investigation
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Out to Lunch: CPS Employees Violating Rules to Get Their Kids Free Lunches |
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July 7, 2010 - BGA/CBS-2 Investigation
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Lawyers Cancel Golf Outing for Judges after Questions are Raised |
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June 24, 2010 - BGA/FOX Chicago Investigation
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Illinois' government-paid hired guns |
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June 4, 2010 - BGA/Sun-Times Investigation
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Water District Salaries Soak Taxpayers |
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May 13, 2010 - BGA/Chicago News Coop Investigation
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Patrick Collins Pens Book on Reform |
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April 25, 2010 - But, will reform-minded ex-fed run for office?
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Optical business gives to politicians and gets government contracts |
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April 12, 2010 - BGA/Sun-Times Investigation
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Attention college students! |
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April 5, 2010 - BGA Examines Student Financial Aid Website FAFSA
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Suspected 'front company' has good city hall lobbyist |
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March 22, 2010 - BGA/Sun-Times Investigation
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How Northwestern kept its grip on Cook County traffice school |
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March 1, 2010 - BGA/Sun-Times Investigation
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Rep. Burke: From deputy city clerk to City Hall lobbyist |
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February 15, 2010 - BGA/Sun-Times Investigation
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Where does the money from 'Jeans Day' Go? |
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January 20, 2010 - BGA/FOX Chicago Investigation
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Your Township tax dollars
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November 27, 2009 - BGA/ABC 7 Investigation
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Errors in Water Dept. bills cause collection chaos
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November 5, 2009 - BGA/CBS 2 Investigation
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Faulty doors at Cook County Jail
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November 1, 2009 - BGA/Sun-Times Investigation
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Water district chief owns firm that helps polluters
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October 30, 2009 - Do Mr. O'Brien's twin roles present a conflict of interest? How can an official be paid by polluters at the same time he's supposed to be policing them?
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How do alderman spend their 'piggy bank' money?
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October 29, 2009 -BGA/CBS 2 Investigation
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Taking Taxpayers for a Ride
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September 23, 2009 - It's a perk that is costing Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars: government-owned cars. You see them all over the road. They either have an 'M' or 'U' on their license plates.
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Workers Give to Stroger's Campaign, Get Big Raises
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August 24, 2009 - Patronage workers with the Cook County Forest Preserve District are seeing more green these days -- in their paychecks.
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Questionable Contracts in Cook County Planning Office
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July 9, 2009 - The Better Government Association and the Daily Herald recently finished up a two-part investigative series regarding Cook County’s Capital Planning and Policy Office. The investigation uncovered that all 11 contract winners donated to a county commissioner or relative.
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Sleeping on the Job at Cook County Highway Department
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May 20, 2009 - High above the loop on the 24th floor of the Cook County Building, where we're told our tax dollars are hard at work, we found this county employee fast asleep at his desk.
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Alderman Uses Expense Account to Reimburse Campaign
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March 18, 2009 - What happens when Chicago aldermen get their hands on generous expense accounts? And why isn't anyone watching?
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Blago Contributors Get Dan Ryan Construction Contracts
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March 16, 2009 - When it comes to figuring out how taxpayer dollars are spent on big state road projects, it's wise to be prepared for a runaround. Take the massive reconstruction of the Dan Ryan Expy., which ended in 2007.
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Berrios Seeks $344,000 for Lavish Furnishings
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February 4, 2009 - The recession and Cook County budget crisis haven't stopped some county government officials from submitting a lavish 'wish list' to pay for redecorating, new computers and other office equipment.
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