Investigation 'It's A Fixed Cost. That's All I Ask': A Politician's Pitch For Campaign Cash Feb 20, 2020 6:00 AM While seeking a tax break from Cook County, a suburban factory owner says he felt pressured into contributing to a county commissioner's campaign fund.
Investigation Cómo el principal asistente del Concejal Solís consiguió tres trabajos Mientras el concejal del Distrito 25, Daniel Solís, cooperaba en una investigación de corrupción federal antes de dejar su cargo el año pasado, un miembro de su personal estaba haciendo una nueva carrera como portero en un club nocturno, guardia de seguridad y como lobbista en una empresa de servicios públicos de Illinois. Jan 20, 2020 12:00 PM
Investigation How Embattled Alderman Solis’ Top Aide Landed Three Jobs As 25th Ward Ald. Daniel Solis was cooperating in a sweeping federal corruption probe before leaving office last year, a top staffer was building a new career as a bouncer, security guard and as a lobbyist at an Illinois utility company. Jan 13, 2020 6:00 AM
Investigation Lightfoot’s Actions on Environmental Campaign Promises Are Off to a Slow Start Chicago mayor says budget constraints have cooled her ambitious plans. Her 2020 budget includes no new funding for additional pollution inspectors. Dec 5, 2019 6:00 AM
PolitiFact Fact-Check: Lipinski Revives GOP Talking Point on ACA Medicare Change U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski recently explained his vote against the Affordable Care Act by claiming it took money from Medicare. The landmark health care law reduced future growth in program spending, but it did not take away existing dollars. Feb 23, 2020 2:00 PM
PolitiFact Fact-Check: Have Carbon Emissions Increased Under Trump? U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky is correct the nation has seen an increase in emissions in the time since Trump took office. After a significant spike in 2018, however, emissions fell again last year. Feb 16, 2020 2:00 PM
From Our President Greising: If Pritzker Wants Real Pension Reform, He May Need to Amend His ‘Fantasy’ Swipe February 21, 2020
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 23, 2020 @ 3:00 PM
Perspective Dillon: To Break the Cycle of Ethical Failure, Fix the Legislative Oversight System February 18, 2020
What the Gov What The Gov: What Can Candidates and Elected Officials Buy With Campaign Funds? December 19, 2019
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 Submit Now for the 2020 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting February 5, 2020
Press Release Others Join BGA in Suing Chicago Over Records Involving Former Police Supt. Eddie Johnson January 28, 2020
Database Illinois Public Salaries Database Review, explore and compare compensation for public employees throughout Illinois. Oct 30, 2018 12:00 AM
Database Illinois Public Pensions Database Follow the money paid to retired public-sector employees throughout Illinois. Nov 15, 2019 12:27 AM
Explainer Mayor Lightfoot Promised to Spend More Money on Students in Need. Will 2020 Be the Year? Chicago schools with more students who face increased challenges need more resources, but funding has stayed the same per-pupil for years. Now the city is examining how to divvy up money differently as school enrollment declines. Dec 11, 2019 9:30 AM
Explainer Lightfoot’s Effort To Scale Back Aldermanic Prerogative a Work in Progress Lori Lightfoot vowed to put an end to aldermanic prerogative on inauguration day. But the basis for the practice giving aldermen a veto over ward issues will take more than a few strokes of a pen for her to undo. Nov 20, 2019 9:04 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
Follow-Up Chicago Aldermen Call for Hearings Into Failing City Recycling Programs Citing an investigation by the BGA that revealed systemic failures in Chicago’s Blue Cart recycling program, aldermen demand public examination aimed at improving the city’s worst-in-the-nation programs. Updated: Feb 19, 2020 @ 6:57 PM
Follow-Up CDC To Review Air Pollution Near East St. Louis, Duckworth Says Illinois senator asked for assessment of toxic releases from Veolia plant, a site profiled in a recent BGA story about President Trump’s diminished EPA. Nov 20, 2019 4:00 PM
Follow-Up Federal Probe in Lyons Includes Businesses Intertwined with Mayor The list of businesses whose records were seized last month include video gambling machine operator Rick Heidner with a potentially lucrative deal from Lyons to fix up a vacant strip mall. Nov 4, 2019 1:49 PM
