Investigation Feds Search for Michael Madigan Records at Home of Retired Alderman, Sources Say Jul 12, 2019 5:25 PM In a related move, the feds subpoenaed utility giant Commonwealth Edison about the company’s state government lobbying activity.
Investigation Census Stirs Fears Regardless of Citizenship Question Even as the Trump administration has confronted setbacks about asking if everyone is a U.S. citizen in the 2020 headcount, experts and families with undocumented members fear immigrants already are less likely to participate — with enormous financial stakes for Chicago and Illinois. Updated: Jul 4, 2019 @ 6:10 AM
Investigation Small Town Government, Chicago-style Politics Lyons’ mayor, son of the former town boss who went to prison, is building clout in the western suburbs amid claims of cozy deals, including the purchase of his own house. May 22, 2019 9:00 PM
Investigation In Illinois, Cars And Trucks Top Coal As Biggest Global Warming Contributor Drivers, Amazon deliveries and Uber rides are now the biggest source of greenhouse gases, presenting a new challenge for policy. May 19, 2019 6:00 AM
PolitiFact Fact-Check: Mendoza’s Comparison of Indiana and Illinois Gasoline Taxes Veers Off Course While defending Illinois’ recent gas tax hike, the state comptroller claimed Indiana still charges drivers more. Her office now acknowledges that was wrong. Jul 21, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact Pritzker’s Capital Spending Claim Raises Questions Though Parts Track With Past Practices The Chicago governor contended the bulk of his $45 billion capital plan will flow to Downstate districts. Not all the evidence is in yet to evaluate that. Jul 14, 2019 2:00 PM
Featured Analysis How's Mayor Lori Lightfoot Doing? We're Keeping Track. If you’re keeping score (we are), here’s how Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s actions measure up against the BGA agenda published after her election. Updated: Jul 1, 2019 @ 5:00 AM
What the Gov What The Gov: What Does It Mean To Have Six Democratic Socialists on the Chicago City Council? July 2, 2019
Press Release Event Recap | 2019 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards For Investigative Reporting May 23, 2019
Press Release BGA Wins Journalism Award for Suburban Police Shooting Series Produced With WBEZ May 16, 2019
Database Illinois Public Salaries Database Review, explore and compare compensation for public employees throughout Illinois. Oct 30, 2018 12:00 AM
Database Pension Database Follow the money paid to retired public-sector employees throughout Illinois. Updated: May 24, 2017 @ 6:00 AM
Explainer Latest Pension Play Is No Guaranteed Fix If Illinois’ Constitution prevents lawmakers from curbing rising pension costs, then change the Constitution, advocates say. But experts warn a voter-approved rewrite may lead to a lengthy legal challenge and end, once again, without a permanent solution. Jun 26, 2019 6:30 AM
Explainer Poor Left, Rich Thrived When Illinois Hiked Flat Tax As Illinois debates whether to raise taxes on the rich, IRS data show better off tax filers stayed put when flat tax rates jumped a few years ago despite fears so called job creators would leave the state to avoid paying the increase. Apr 8, 2019 5:00 AM
Explainer Millennials and Market Saturation Raise Doubts About New Casino Push Talk of new Chicago and Downstate casinos is resurfacing among politicians as an answer to government fiscal woes. But casino revenue is off sharply from its heights, and the industry is struggling to attract younger gamblers. Feb 6, 2019 2:00 PM
Follow-Up Lyons Delays Unusual Tax Break For Mayoral Donor Following BGA story, suburb tentatively hits brakes on tax increment financing district that would have benefited campaign contributor to Mayor Chris Getty. Jul 1, 2019 1:00 PM
Follow-Up Chicago Ethics Board Fines Ald. Ed Burke for ‘Improper Influence’ Prompted by a Better Government Association/WBEZ investigation, the city’s ethics watchdog hits Burke for $2k fine. May 3, 2019 6:00 AM
Follow-Up As Emanuel Exits, Efforts Growing at City Hall to Revive Environment Department The mayor eliminated environmental enforcement office to cut costs, which a recent BGA investigation revealed resulted in declines in inspections and citations. Now both potential successors support bringing the department back as support builds in City Council. Mar 22, 2019 6:00 AM
