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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.
You can help us fight for good government.
Contact the BGA at info@bettergov.org or call (312) 386-9098.
Archives: 2008 2007
TIME TO LIVE BY YOUR OWN STANDARDS
GOVERNOR'S APPOINTEES FAIL TO FILE REQUIRED ETHICS DISCLOSURES
September 13, 2007 – With much fanfare, Governor Rod Blagojevich hailed passage of the Ethics Act on November 19, 2003 saying “we have taken a huge step forward in restoring honor to public service in Illinois.” Yet the governor’s administration has once again fallen short with the ethics law that he so proudly boasts of as one of his signature achievements.
16% OF CHICAGO ALDERMEN CAN’T READ A CALENDAR OR USE A COMPUTER
July 30, 2007 - An analysis by the BGA found that eight Chicago aldermen have failed to comply with Illinois law by filing their campaign statements late, not at all, or on paper. Illinois has virtually no rules on campaign finance except requiring disclosure of campaign contributions. Apparently, for some aldermen even Illinois' minimal requirements were too much to comply with in a timely fashion.
IS TAXPAYER MONEY BEING USED TO HELP ALDERMEN CAMPAIGN?
April 10, 2007 - An analysis by the BGA found the City of Chicago's website leading taxpayers to pages where aldermen and their campaign committees were soliciting contributions. State ethics laws prohibit the use of taxpayer-funded resources for political campaigns. "It's like walking into the alderman's office and being hit up for campaign money," said BGA Executive Director Jay Stewart.
The results appeared on Fox News Chicago in a story by reporter Dane Placko.
Read more
CONFLICT OF INTEREST QUESTIONS FOLLOW ELECTION CHAIRMAN
March 5, 2007 - In conjunction with the BGA, the ABC 7 News I-Team has revealed that Chicago Board of Election's Chairman Langdon Neal has a conflict of interest with the City of Chicago. Neal's law firm, of which he is the majority owner, does millions of dollars of business with the City. Neal is a registered lobbyist of the City of Chicago, his law firm gives campaign contributions to City and County elected officials and he does a large amount of zoning work in front of the various Chicago agencies in control of zoning issues. And as Chairman of the Board of Elections Neal is in charge of county votes for the Mayor, the alderman, and the City vote for all County officials.
Read the full article by ABC's Chuck Goudie
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