How to File a FOIA Request in Illinois
Governments must allow access to its public records. Your tool to these records is a Freedom of Information Act request. Learn how to file one.
Your Transparency Watchdog
BGA OpenGov is the Illinois affiliate of the National Freedom of Information Coalition.
Without access to information about the workings of government, it would be impossible for citizens to determine whether taxpayer dollars were being spent responsibly and equitably, or to hold public servants accountable for their actions.
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City Council Approves Proactive Rental Inspection Working Group
Chicago’s city council today passed an ordinance establishing a working group to research, evaluate, and issue recommendations regarding health and safety inspections of rental units. The ordinance was produced and championed by the Chicago Healthy Homes Ordinance coalition, of which BGA Policy is a steering committee member. The coalition seeks a proactive rental inspection regimen similar…
Small Steps for Independent Budgeting: City Council’s Plan, Passed Over Mayor’s Objections, Changes Revenues but Keeps Roughly the Same Spending Plan
Chicago’s budget for the 2026 fiscal year, enacted just before its Dec. 31st deadline, made history when it passed without the mayor’s support or approval. …
Speaker Welch; President Harmon commit to transparent online archives
Illinoisans should not need insider access or paid subscriptions to see their government at work. Across most of the country, residents can easily watch, search,…
BGA Policy Agenda: City of Chicago 2023-2027
Learn about the BGA Policy’s agenda for the City of Chicago in 2023-2027
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Updates From BGA
Beyond the Byline and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting
Join us for Beyond the Byline: Featuring the 22nd Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting on Thursday, May 7, from 3:30–8:30 p.m. at Venue SIX10 in downtown…
Policy Statements
BGA Calls on Illinois Attorney General to Investigate Apparent Violations of the TRUST Act
As a nonpartisan organization dedicated to accountability, transparency and equity within government, the BGA is concerned about recent reporting indicating the Illinois TRUST Act likely is being violated without urgency to resolve by the Illinois Attorney General’s office. We call on Attorney General Kwame Raoul to use the full scope of his office to immediately…
BGA Supports Cook County Mosquito Abatement Evaluation
Last week, the Better Government Association spoke in front of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and supported a resolution that calls for evaluation of countywide mosquito abatement practices and governance. As outlined in the recitals of the resolution, mosquito management in Cook County currently falls under a patchwork of government agencies, including the Cook…
City Council Ethics Chair Forces Procedural Vote on Stalled Protections for Inspector General Investigations
Ald. Matt Martin (47th Ward), chair of the City Council ethics committee, filed a procedural motion last week to reclaim a stalled ordinance from the rules committee. If successful, Martin’s motion would reassign the ordinance to his committee, where as chair he has the authority to schedule it for debate and a vote. At issue…
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See What the Illinois State Legislature Is Doing
Better Government Association believes in transparency and accountability, which is why we have partnered with FastDemocracy to bring you some of the most powerful tools to keep tabs on your lawmakers in Springfield and their legislative actions.
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Perspectives
Bryan Zarou Appointed to Chicago Inspector General Search Committee
Bryan Zarou, the Better Government Association’s vice president of policy, has been appointed to serve on the City of Chicago’s Inspector General Search Committee. The Inspector General is…
Bryan Zarou: The state of ethics reform in a post-Michael Madigan Illinois
Michael Madigan is going to prison, but Illinois still has work to do to make state government more accountable.
The Public Should Have Open Access to Judicial Records. A Recent Investigation Shows Why.
BGA Policy has long documented the perils that come with the judiciary being exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. This lack of public oversight puts those in…
Research & Analysis
Six bills sought to reduce public access to body cam footage
Just a few months after the last remaining law enforcement agencies were required to equip officers with body cameras, several legislative efforts in 2025 tried to limit access to body cam footage, according to an analysis by BGA Policy. Body cameras, which nearly all officers in Illinois must wear, help them collect evidence and also…
2025 FOIA Legislation Analysis
The foundational principle of Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act is that the public is entitled to “full and complete information regarding the affairs of government.” Many stakeholders — journalists, researchers, government agencies, members of the public, etc. — have a vested interest in how FOIA works.
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ILLINOIS PUBLIC SALARY DATABASE
Review, explore and compare compensation for public employees throughout Illinois.
