Better Government Association

Waste Management Ousted From Chicago’s Recycling Program

Apr 6, 2021 5:00 PM

The company lost the city’s Blue Cart contract after a BGA investigation revealed how the company charged the city twice for processing materials in recycling bins.

Investigations

Investigation

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

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.
Mar 2, 2021 4:46 PM
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

Featured

Illinois Public Salaries Database 2018 Data Update

Our FREE Illinois Public Salaries Database lets you review, explore and compare compensation for public employees with the click of a button. We've updated the 2018 data which now contains base pay and additional pay (such as overtime, sick pay and vacation) for 528,481 state, municipal, school and other government employees across Illinois. These additions represent 42 new agencies and almost $460 million in new records.

Illinois Redistricting Hearings Fail to Engage the Public. Ask Yourself Why

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

Press Release

BGA’s Driehaus Foundation Investigative Awards to Remain Virtual for 2021
March 5, 2021

Waste Management Ousted From Chicago’s Recycling Program

Investigations

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

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

Fact checks with

Fact-Check: Does the American Rescue Plan Limit How States Can Spend Funds?

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

Databases

Illinois Public Salaries Database

Illinois Public Pensions Database

Follow ups

Una Investigación sobre Corrupción Pesa sobre la Contienda Electoral por la Alcaldía de Lyons

Corruption Investigation Hangs Over Mayoral Race in Western Suburb

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

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

Featured

Illinois Public Salaries Database 2018 Data Update

Illinois Redistricting Hearings Fail to Engage the Public. Ask Yourself Why

Greising: Scrutiny of Navy Pier’s Operations Is Long Overdue

Greising: Come Clean, Mayor Lightfoot: Do You Support an Elected School Board or Not?

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

Here's How to Weigh in on New Legislative Maps

Illinois Redistricting Hearings Fail to Engage the Public. Ask Yourself Why

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

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

Waste Management Ousted From Chicago’s Recycling Program

Investigations

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

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

Fact checks with

Fact-Check: Does the American Rescue Plan Limit How States Can Spend Funds?

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

Databases

Illinois Public Salaries Database

Illinois Public Pensions Database

Follow ups

Una Investigación sobre Corrupción Pesa sobre la Contienda Electoral por la Alcaldía de Lyons

Corruption Investigation Hangs Over Mayoral Race in Western Suburb

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

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

Featured

Illinois Public Salaries Database 2018 Data Update

Independent Redistricting

The BGA Shows How It Can Be Done

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

Illinois Redistricting Hearings Fail to Engage the Public. Ask Yourself Why

Greising: Scrutiny of Navy Pier’s Operations Is Long Overdue

Greising: Come Clean, Mayor Lightfoot: Do You Support an Elected School Board or Not?

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

Here's How to Weigh in on New Legislative Maps

Illinois Redistricting Hearings Fail to Engage the Public. Ask Yourself Why

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

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