Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s track record on reform is a mixed bag. A wide-ranging ethics reform proposal could help her follow through on her promises.
Archives
Posted inBreaking, Investigation
BGA Wins Pulitzer Prize
The Better Government Association has won a Pulitzer Prize for its investigative stories with The Chicago Tribune that exposed the failure of Chicago city officials to keep tenants safe from deadly fires in dangerous residential buildings.
Posted inABC 7 Videos
IL Lawmakers Look To Tackle Pension Fund Divestment Amid Russia, Ukraine War This Fall
After legislation went unpassed this spring, Illinois lawmakers are looking to divest from Russian assets this fall.
Posted inUpdates
BGA Wins Nine Lisagor Awards
Among the prizes are “Best News Website,” podcast honors for “The Madigan Rule,” and investigative awards for two projects “Failures Before the Fires” in collaboration with the Chicago Tribune and “The Costly Toll of Dead-end Drug Arrests” with the Chicago Sun-Times.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Orland Park Mayor Says Crime at Lowest in Nearly Three Decades
In his bid for Congress, Mayor Keith Pekau is touting the downward turn in reported crimes during his tenure. While the reported statistics bear him out, there was a spike in violent crime his first year in office.
Posted inUpdates
BGA Honored with Tribune as Finalist for Livingston Award
The BGA/Chicago Tribune investigation “Failures Before the Fires” was named a finalist for the national award for Local Reporting. The Livingston Award is meant to honor journalists under 35 for excellence in journalism. Winner will be announced in June.
Posted inUpdates
BGA Twice Honored in the 2022 National Headliner Awards
Two projects, including “Cabrini-Green: A History of Broken Promises” and “Failures Before the Fires,” were awarded second place in two categories for online journalism. The Fires project, with the Chicago Tribune, was honored for the collaboration. The Cabrini Project was named in a category for online only journalism.
Posted inPolicy, Research & Analysis
A City Council Staffing Shuffle? Could Happen Under New Bills from Beale, Reilly
New Department of Assets, Information and Services reduced spending growth by $1.8 million per year post-merger, exceeding $1 million savings target.
Posted inPolicy
Side by Side Comparison of City Council Parliamentarian Bills
Two separate ordinances, O2021-2901 (Beale, 9th Ward) and O2022-656 (Reilly, 42nd Ward) both propose a renamed and expanded legislative support office for City Council, taking on the duties of the […]
Posted inWhat the Gov
Pattern of Late-Night Finishes for the Illinois General Assembly Raises Transparency Concerns
The ILGA ends almost every session past its deadline. Is it by design?