How did the teenaged sons of a Cook County commissioner from Orland Park end up with good-paying summer jobs with the local fire department? The agency’s former human resources director says political favoritism played a part.
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Posted inPress Release
Fitzgerald: Tough Act to Follow
Illinois is a slightly cleaner state today because of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, and all of us owe him a debt of gratitude.
Posted inPress Release
Illinois House Votes to End Controversial Legislative Scholarships
Bill Heads to Governor, Who Favors Killing the Longtime Perk
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal, Results & Reforms
MORE COMPETITION, LOWER PRICES ON CPS MILK CONTRACTS
Following a series of stories from the BGA and the Chicago Sun-Times about a politically connected dairy company and its government contracts, Chicago Public Schools negotiated new terms that should save the system $750,000 in milk expenses. Officials also pledged to launch a “rigorous competitive bidding process” to keep costs down.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
Not Ready to Cheer About Rahm’s First Year
Only a year into his term, Mayor Rahm Emanuel scores high marks for financial belt tightening and providing greater online access to city data and information. Still, the Mayor has tripped over a couple of key “transparency” tests — improving relations with the city Inspector General’s office and making his controversial infrastructure trust plan more open to public scrutiny.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
Teachers Retirement System’s Next Lesson: Slicing Fees
Taxpayer-backed union should focus on reducing money manager costs.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Businessman Asks: Is Politics Stalling Cook County Fraud Probe?
The state’s attorney’s office is investigating a company for alleged minority-contracting scheme, but two prosecutors have owned piece of a related firm. Now, whistleblower questions whether those connections are delaying case.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Why the Hassle?
Opponents of a Stone Park strip club that’s slated to open next to a convent say village officials have been harassing them in an attempt to quell dissent.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
County Bodyguard Puts Car in Body Shop
The top bodyguard for Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is in the news again, this time for crashing an unmarked squad car while preparing for the next morning’s politician pick-up.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
County Watchdog Slams Hospital for Doc’s Double-Dipping Ways
A BGA/NBC investigation prompts Cook County’s inspector general to call for three Stroger Hospital employees to face discipline after doctor received $90,000 in improper payments. But another casualty could be the whistleblower who brought this case to light.