Investigation How Embattled Alderman Solis’ Top Aide Landed Three Jobs Jan 13, 2020 6:00 AM 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.
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 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
Investigation Trump Rolls Back EPA Oversight in Midwest, Favoring Polluters EPA inspections and staff levels plunge in the Chicago regional office as regulations are abandoned and policy favors job creation over clean air and water. The Midwest is among the areas hit hardest by the cutbacks, with inspections down 60% since Trump took office. Updated: Nov 18, 2019 @ 10:30 AM
PolitiFact Fact-Check: Newman's Jab at Lipinski's Railroad Record Doesn't Track Illinois 3rd Congressional District candidate Marie Newman claimed incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski helped put the brakes on a law that prevented trains from blocking crossings. In response to our inquiry, her campaign acknowledged that's not the case. Jan 19, 2020 2:00 PM
PolitiFact Fact-Check: Casten Partly Right About Federal Contribution to New Drugs Speaking in favor of a plan to lower prescription drug costs and increase funding for public research, U.S. Rep. Sean Casten misstated the timeframe but correctly cited the conclusion of a study on the government’s role in creating new medications. Dec 22, 2019 2:00 PM
From Our President Greising: How Do You Undo a System That Rewards ‘Loyalty' Over Public Service? January 10, 2020
From Our President Greising: Illinois Scores Early With Legal Weed but Must Learn From Other States January 10, 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: Dec 30, 2019 @ 10:00 AM
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 BGA Joins Six Other Chicago Newsrooms to Examine Mayor Lightfoot’s First Year November 20, 2019
Press Release BGA Investigations Win Emmy, Award from Chicago Journalists Association November 18, 2019
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 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
Follow-Up Search Warrant Shows Feds Focused on Lyons Mayor, Developer Who Built His House Sweeping document — released after the village was sued — sought records highlighted in previous BGA investigation, nearby quarry and even the mayor's home security system. Oct 15, 2019 10:54 PM
