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Posted inNewsroom
Examine the Racial and Ethnic Breakdowns of Every Criminal Charge in Cook County over Nearly Two Decades
The Circuit: Over 18 years, 61% of all criminal charges were filed against Black people, even though only about 23% of the county’s population is Black. In our latest update to our collaborative investigation, the BGA, Injustice Watch and DataMade break down more than 3 million criminal charges by race, ethnicity and gender.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: No, Chicago Police Officer Ella French Didn’t Leave Behind an Infant Child
Ella French’s brother and Chicago Police Supt. David Brown have both said claims circulating online that French had a child and recently returned from maternity leave are inaccurate.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
City Panel Approves $600M to Finish Cabrini
City finally pledging to follow through on promises it made when the public housing complex Cabrini-Green was ordered demolished more than two decades ago.
Posted inPolicy, Research & Analysis
After New York City, Is Ranked-Choice Voting Still The Future of Voting?
Ranked-Choice Voting faced one of its biggest tests yet. Did it live up to expectations? Is it the future? BGA takes a deep dive.
Posted inABC 7 Videos, Follow-Up
Chicago Tribune, BGA Investigate Deadly Building Fires, Provide Potential Solutions
The Better Government Association and the Chicago Tribune investigated deadly fires in the city and the role the city plays in tenant safety.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: No, Pelosi Was Not Calling All the Shots for Capitol Security Officials on Jan. 6
During a GOP press conference ahead of a House probe into the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois claimed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was in charge of all actions taken by Capitol security leadership that day. That’s highly misleading.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
9 Potential Solutions to Keep Chicagoans Safer From Fires
A follow-up to a BGA/Chicago Tribune investigation finds other major cities have enacted reforms to improve building safety that could save lives in Chicago — if city leaders break from a pattern of neglect.
Posted inABC 7 Videos, PolitiFact
Gov. Pritzker COVID: Can Il Use Federal Money To Repay $4.2B in Unemployment Money Borrowed?
The Better Government Association helped draft a reform measure directed at the city’s board of ethics.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: States Can Use ARPA Money to Replenish Unemployment Funds, Contrary to Pritzker’s Claim
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he wasn’t considering using American Rescue Plan Act dollars to address a major deficit in the state’s unemployment insurance fund because federal rules prohibit it. His office told us he misspoke.