Better Government Association

‘What’s Said Here, Stays Here.’ Work of the Committee That Identified 41 Public Monuments for Possible Removal Remains Opaque.

Mar 2, 2021 4:46 PM

Committee formed by Lightfoot concluded statues of Columbus, Washington, Lincoln and others should be reviewed, but City Hall isn’t releasing many details about how those decisions came to be because it says the committee isn’t a public body.

Investigations

Investigation

Chicago Schools Needed Computers. Then the Mayor Emailed About a ‘Really Good Guy.’

What followed was a $1.6 million deal for a Lightfoot donor who supplied used laptops and iPads, some of which didn’t work for remote learning.
Dec 14, 2020 6:00 AM
Investigation

Amazon’s Massive Chicago-Area Expansion Fueled by $741 Million From Taxpayers

As part of a nationwide effort, the online retail giant has commissioned 36 warehouses in the Chicago area since 2015, creating thousands of jobs. Most of the taxpayer assistance comes from Black communities.
Oct 26, 2020 6:00 AM
Investigation

A Veteran Cook County Judge Has Been Repeatedly Blocked from Hearing Sex Offense Cases. Here’s Why.

An unprecedented investigation of court data finds systematic effort to keep Judge James Linn from deciding sex charges after a controversial ruling he made years ago.
Oct 22, 2020 12:01 PM

Fact checks with

Featured

The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards Entries

Submissions are now open for The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting: A Remedy for Wrong, presented by Better Government Association. The deadline to submit your online entry will be Friday, April 2, 2021, 11:59 PM CT. We encourage you to apply today.

The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting, presented by BGA, honors journalism from across the great State of Illinois and awards $27,000 in total prize money. This year's award celebration will take place virtually in early June.

Click here for the entry page

From our president

Policy

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: Jan 31, 2021 @ 7:00 PM

Civic engagement

Our organization

Who's on Watch

Who’s on Watch? Q&A with BGA Reporter Casey Toner
May 18, 2020

‘What’s Said Here, Stays Here.’ Work of the Committee That Identified 41 Public Monuments for Possible Removal Remains Opaque.

Investigations

Chicago Schools Needed Computers. Then the Mayor Emailed About a ‘Really Good Guy.’

Amazon’s Massive Chicago-Area Expansion Fueled by $741 Million From Taxpayers

A Veteran Cook County Judge Has Been Repeatedly Blocked from Hearing Sex Offense Cases. Here’s Why.

Fact checks with

Fact-Check: Is Illinois Outpacing Other Large States on Vaccinations This Month?

Fact-Check: Did Pritzker Prioritize Inmates, Pols and College Kids for Vaccination?

Featured

The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards Entries

Greising: A Note for the Mayor: As We Judge History, History Will Judge Us

Greising: An Illinois House speaker talking about voter trust? More of that, please.

How's Mayor Lori Lightfoot Doing? We're Keeping Track.

BGA Joins Promote the Vote in Call for Changes to Assure Safe, Accessible Elections

BGA, Transform Illinois Share Legislative Priorities and Call for Remote Session With Public Access

What Are Your Wishes for Better Government in 2021?

What the Gov: As Illinois Reopens, What Restrictions Remain for Weddings?

What the Gov: Cook County Property Taxpayers Have Two Extra Months to Pay Their Bills

BGA’s Driehaus Foundation Investigative Awards to Remain Virtual for 2021

David Jackson to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Who’s on Watch? Q&A with BGA Reporter Casey Toner

Full Disclosure, Wednesdays at 8:40AM

Wednesdays at 10:20AM, Fridays at 1:20PM and Saturdays at 10:40AM

Weekend Watch on ABC 7, Saturdays at 8:45AM

Databases

Illinois Public Salaries Database

Illinois Public Pensions Database

Explainers

Get Ready, Illinois: Pritzker’s Tax Plan Looks to Become the Biggest Ballot Measure in State History

Mayor Lightfoot Promised to Spend More Money on Students in Need. Will 2020 Be the Year?

Lightfoot’s Effort To Scale Back Aldermanic Prerogative a Work in Progress

Follow ups

Former Speaker Michael Madigan Resigns From Illinois House Seat After 50 Years in Office

Madigan Ousted As Illinois Lawmakers Select First Black Speaker

Chicago Public Schools Watchdog to Investigate Emergency Computer Deal With Lightfoot Donor

‘What’s Said Here, Stays Here.’ Work of the Committee That Identified 41 Public Monuments for Possible Removal Remains Opaque.

Investigations

Chicago Schools Needed Computers. Then the Mayor Emailed About a ‘Really Good Guy.’

Amazon’s Massive Chicago-Area Expansion Fueled by $741 Million From Taxpayers

A Veteran Cook County Judge Has Been Repeatedly Blocked from Hearing Sex Offense Cases. Here’s Why.

Fact checks with

Fact-Check: Is Illinois Outpacing Other Large States on Vaccinations This Month?

Fact-Check: Did Pritzker Prioritize Inmates, Pols and College Kids for Vaccination?

Featured

The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards Entries

Independent Redistricting

The BGA Shows How It Can Be Done

The BGA's Ethics Agenda: Let’s Get Serious About Ending Corruption in Illinois

Greising: A Note for the Mayor: As We Judge History, History Will Judge Us

Greising: An Illinois House speaker talking about voter trust? More of that, please.

How's Mayor Lori Lightfoot Doing? We're Keeping Track.

BGA Joins Promote the Vote in Call for Changes to Assure Safe, Accessible Elections

BGA, Transform Illinois Share Legislative Priorities and Call for Remote Session With Public Access

What Are Your Wishes for Better Government in 2021?

What the Gov: As Illinois Reopens, What Restrictions Remain for Weddings?

What the Gov: Cook County Property Taxpayers Have Two Extra Months to Pay Their Bills

BGA’s Driehaus Foundation Investigative Awards to Remain Virtual for 2021

David Jackson to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Who’s on Watch? Q&A with BGA Reporter Casey Toner

Full Disclosure, Wednesdays at 8:40AM

Wednesdays at 10:20AM, Fridays at 1:20PM and Saturdays at 10:40AM

Weekend Watch on ABC 7, Saturdays at 8:45AM

Databases

Illinois Public Salaries Database

Illinois Public Pensions Database

Explainers

Get Ready, Illinois: Pritzker’s Tax Plan Looks to Become the Biggest Ballot Measure in State History

Mayor Lightfoot Promised to Spend More Money on Students in Need. Will 2020 Be the Year?

Lightfoot’s Effort To Scale Back Aldermanic Prerogative a Work in Progress

Follow ups

Former Speaker Michael Madigan Resigns From Illinois House Seat After 50 Years in Office

Madigan Ousted As Illinois Lawmakers Select First Black Speaker

Chicago Public Schools Watchdog to Investigate Emergency Computer Deal With Lightfoot Donor