Follow-Up Madigan Ousted As Illinois Lawmakers Select First Black Speaker Jan 13, 2021 8:10 PM A new era in Illinois government begins with the selection of Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, ending Madigan’s record-setting reign.
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
PolitiFact PolitiFact's 2020 Lie of the Year PolitiFact National names deadly disinformation downplaying or denying the novel coronavirus as its Lie of the Year for 2020. Dec 16, 2020 7:30 AM
PolitiFact Fact-Check: Yes, Conservatives Did Share False Post About Pritzker’s Daughter Gov. Pritzker said Republican elected officials, propaganda sites and radio hosts were sharing a story that falsely claimed a picture showed his teenage daughter violating COVID rules. The governor is correct. Dec 6, 2020 12:33 PM
Analysis The BGA's Ethics Agenda: Let’s Get Serious About Ending Corruption in Illinois Updated: October 6, 2020
From Our President Greising: Illinois' Do-Nothing Legislature Will Finally Convene. Its Inaction Took a Big Toll. January 8, 2021
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: Nov 16, 2020 @ 7:00 PM
What the Gov What the Gov: Cook County Property Taxpayers Have Two Extra Months to Pay Their Bills June 8, 2020
Database Illinois Public Salaries Database Review, explore and compare compensation for public employees throughout Illinois. Updated: Sep 30, 2020 @ 8:30 AM
Database Illinois Public Pensions Database Follow the money paid to retired public-sector employees throughout Illinois. Updated: Aug 19, 2020 @ 12:00 PM
Explainer Get Ready, Illinois: Pritzker’s Tax Plan Looks to Become the Biggest Ballot Measure in State History Is it a “fair tax” or a “blank check?” Those will be two of the opposing messages Illinois voters will hear between now and November over the governor’s proposal to flip the state from a flat income tax rate to a graduated one. Updated: Mar 19, 2020 @ 11:42 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
Follow-Up Chicago Public Schools Watchdog to Investigate Emergency Computer Deal With Lightfoot Donor The district's Office of Inspector General opened the investigation after a report by Chalkbeat Chicago and the Better Government Association this week raised questions about the purchase. Dec 17, 2020 4:00 PM
Follow-Up Watchdog: Chicago Not Enforcing Recycling Laws for Big Buildings Findings by Inspector General’s office mirror those detailed in 2019 by the BGA, which found lax enforcement and bureaucratic snafus have led to more recyclable materials from Chicago’s high-rises and commercial buildings being diverted to landfills. Updated: Dec 2, 2020 @ 5:20 PM
Follow-Up Lightfoot Defends City’s Actions on Little Village Smokestack Demolition: ‘I Don’t Believe We Were Negligent’ During a virtual town hall as part of “Lens on Lightfoot” event, mayor maintains developer is at fault but vows such an incident won’t happen again. Sep 29, 2020 9:46 PM
