From federal lawsuits to scathing reports, the administration of the city’s greenspaces has for decades come under fire on grounds that underserved communities are treated unfairly
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Posted inABC 7 Videos
Chicago Ald. Walter Burnett Softened Affordable Housing Stance After Cash Influx: BGA Investigation
Several former tenants at Atrium Village in Old Town said they feel abandoned by 27th Ward Ald. Walter Burnett. An investigation by the Better Government Association revealed several accommodations made by Burnett to the apartment’s developer, Onni Group.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Illinois Rep. Mary Miller Claims Biden Administration Is Encouraging Kids to Take “Castration” Drugs, Undergo Surgeries
Miller, a Republican from east central Illinois, took to Twitter after White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki called out Alabama lawmakers for approving a bill to block transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming care. Miller falsely claimed the White House is lying to kids by telling them puberty blockers are reversible.
Posted inABC 7 Videos
Illinois Lawmakers Approve $46.5B Budget With Tax Relief
BGA gives break down on what it means for taxpayers.
Posted inEvents
The BGA’s Driehaus Foundation Investigative Awards Submission Period Extended
The Better Government Association still is accepting submissions for its 2022 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting, and news organizations from across Illinois are encouraged to apply. The deadline for submissions has been extended to Monday, May 2, 2022.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Ald. Walter Burnett Softened Stance on Affordable Housing After Cash Flowed
Developer Onni Group wanted out of its obligation to include affordable units in its luxury Old Town highrises. Onni paid a Burnett friend more than $417,000 to lobby City Hall, helped sponsor a Burnett fundraiser and pledged $25,000 to a charity run by Burnett’s wife. Some tenants said the alderman abandoned them.
Posted inUpdates
BGA Named Lisagor Award Finalists 21 Times
The nominations from the Chicago Headline Club recognize the Better Government Association and its journalism partners for several stories exposing corruption, government mismanagement and neglect of Chicago’s underserved residents.
Posted inUpdates
BGA, Block Club Chicago Win National Award for Exposing Loretto Hospital Scandals
Block Club’s reports about unfair COVID-19 vaccine distribution led to a collaboration with the BGA that exposed mismanagement, clouted contracts and extravagance at the West Side hospital. The reports prompted an FBI probe.
Posted inUpdates
BGA and Block Club Chicago share national Izzy Award
Stories about corruption at Loretto Hospital and shifting profits at the state’s Medicaid program are honored with the annual award for achievement in independent journalism.
Posted inABC 7 Videos
Better Government Association Fact-Checks U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s Gender Pay Gap Claims
In March, the ABC7 Chicago data team examined where Illinois stands in closing the gender pay gap.