Chicago’s former top cop, now a challenger to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s re-election, says murders and shootings cost city taxpayers more than is spent on all other programs combined. The claim is a wild exaggeration based on a misreading of research.
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Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
How to Get to Compromise from Chaos in Police Accountability
Three proposals for community input into policing currently sit in the City Council. Finding the middle ground will be difficult but critical.
Posted inEvents
BGA Announces 2018 Driehaus Award Finalists
Three award winners will be announced at an event on May 1st. Tickets are available now.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
Following BGA Analysis, Sen. Cullerton Introduces Plan to Limit Rich Severance Packages
Cullerton legislation was prompted by BGA examination of multiple golden parachute cases that cost Illinois taxpayers millions along with research on best practices in other states.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Facts Bug New Pritzker Attack Line on Quincy Veterans’ Home
Democrat JB Pritzker is quick to blame rival Gov. Bruce Rauner for new health problems at the state facility for retired veterans. But the stomach virus is very different and harder to prevent than Legionnaires’ disease, which has killed 13 residents since 2015.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Doubek: Here Are Hundreds of Government Boards We Should Do Without In Illinois
Police and fire pension fund consolidation will create efficiencies and significantly reduce costs, improving many towns’ ability to finance the retirements promised to public safety workers.
Posted inAnalysis, Investigation, Perspective, Policy
Shaw: As Media’s Presence Shrinks, Taxpayers Suffer
As print and broadcast media keep shedding staff to cut costs, public officials face less and less scrutiny, emboldening them to misbehave with impunity, laws and taxpayers be damned.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Statewide Police and Fire Pension Fund Database: How Much Does Your Town Owe?
Illinois has the most police and fire pension funds in the country, and many are underfunded. Use our tool to see how your town’s funds measure up.
Posted inPress Release
BGA Wins Prestigious National Award for Series on Nuclear Industry
‘Power Struggle’ project honored with Stokes Award for exposing radioactive leaks and questions about federal oversight. The BGA also won a statewide award for its story about boy with autism who drowned in Chicago Public School pool.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
When It Comes to Illinois’ Deficit, How Bad is Bad?
There are lots of different ways to measure Illinois’ fiscal crisis, and politicians usually seize on the yardstick that best fits their partisan agendas.