Chicago’s city council today passed an ordinance establishing a working group to research, evaluate, and issue recommendations regarding health and safety inspections of rental units. The ordinance was produced and championed […]
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Posted inResearch & Analysis
Small Steps for Independent Budgeting: City Council’s Plan, Passed Over Mayor’s Objections, Changes Revenues but Keeps Roughly the Same Spending Plan
Chicago’s budget for the 2026 fiscal year, enacted just before its Dec. 31st deadline, made history when it passed without the mayor’s support or approval. Mayor Brandon Johnson lacked the […]
Posted inUpdates
The 2026 Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting are Now Open for Submissions
Submissions are now open for the 22nd Anniversary Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Aards for Investigative Reporting. News organizations across Chicago and Illinois are encouraged to apply. The deadline to submit […]
Posted inPolicy
Speaker Welch; President Harmon commit to transparent online archives
Illinoisans should not need insider access or paid subscriptions to see their government at work. Across most of the country, residents can easily watch, search, and review legislative proceedings online […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Six bills sought to reduce public access to body cam footage
Just a few months after the last remaining law enforcement agencies were required to equip officers with body cameras, several legislative efforts in 2025 tried to limit access to body […]
Posted inPerspectives
Bryan Zarou Appointed to Chicago Inspector General Search Committee
Bryan Zarou, the Better Government Association’s vice president of policy, has been appointed to serve on the City of Chicago’s Inspector General Search Committee. The Inspector General is one of […]
Women Who Hold Power to Account
Join the Better Government Association for Women Who Hold Power to Account, an evening conversation honoring Women’s History Month and spotlighting women who exemplify accountability and integrity across Chicago’s civic […]
Beyond the Byline and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting
Join us for Beyond the Byline: Featuring the 22nd Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting on Thursday, May 7, from 3:30–8:30 p.m. at Venue SIX10 in downtown Chicago. […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
2025 FOIA Legislation Analysis
The foundational principle of Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act is that the public is entitled to “full and complete information regarding the affairs of government.” Many stakeholders — journalists, researchers, government agencies, members of the public, etc. — have a vested interest in how FOIA works.
Posted inOpenGov
How to FOIA for Body Camera Footage
Under Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act, there is a presumption that government records are open to the public. Body cam footage is an anomaly. Its availability is dictated by the […]