Following BGA inquiries, Linda Chapa LaVia said the money was to repay a 20-year-old loan.
Archives
Posted inWhat the Gov
Community Ask: How much does Illinois earn in lottery tickets per year, and where do those proceeds go?
Education is the lottery’s beneficiary, but how much does it really benefit?
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Pritzker Freezes Funds to Madigan-Sponsored Projects
Citing a BGA investigation, nine lawmakers requested the freeze in the wake of former House Speaker Michael Madigan’s 22-count federal indictment on charges he traded his office to enrich himself and his friends.
Posted inPolicy
Zarou: Zoom Meetings Make State Government Accessible. But It’s Critical To Preserve In-Person Meetings
From this point forward, online systems — on Zoom or similar platforms — should always be available for the benefit of those who can’t attend public meetings. But that’s as far as it should go.
Posted inABC 7 Videos
BGA Investigator Explains Next Steps in Former IL House Speaker Mike Madigan Fallout
Eyewitness News has been following the federal charges against former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan.
Posted inEvents
The BGA’s Driehaus Foundation Investigative Awards Now Open for Submissions
A new ‘Smaller Newsrooms Category’ is announced
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-check: Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin claims he reduced homicides by 40% his first year in office
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin in a tweet last month claimed he reduced homicides by 40% during his first year in office. Experts say using percentages instead of actual numbers to describe crime trends is misleading.
Posted inPolicy Statements
BGA Policy Statement on the Indictment of Former House Speaker Michael Madigan
The Costly Toll of Dead-end Drug Arrests, published in December, examined how thousands of Chicagoans — mostly Black men — are arrested on drug possession charges judges, police and prosecutors all know will never stick.
Posted inCivic Engagement, Follow-Up, Investigation
Michael Madigan Indicted in 22-Count Federal Corruption Case
As part of a corruption probe lasting years, the longtime house speaker is charged with a conspiracy to use his vast power atop Illinois government to enrich himself, his law firm and his vast political patronage army.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Former Veterans’ Affairs Chief Wrote Checks Totaling $50,000 to Her Mom From Her Political Fund
Following BGA inquiries, Linda Chapa LaVia said the money was to repay a 20-year-old loan. She returned the money to her political account after officials at the state board of elections raised questions about why the loan was never disclosed.