A BGA investigation shows Chicago leaders paid millions in legal fees to withhold public records, thwarting a decade-old state reform measure to give citizens more power to shake loose government documents.
Archives
Posted inPress Release
BGA Nominated for 13 Lisagor Awards
The nominations from the Chicago Headline Club recognize the Better Government Association and media partners for work that ranged from examining the criminal justice system to public schools’ COVID-19 spending.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Public Officials, Advocates Call for Reform After Investigation Reveals Dozens of Fire Deaths Linked to Enforcement Failures
Mayor claims building code enforcement problems were part of the past, but advocates say actions Lightfoot has made haven’t gone far enough and fail to address systemic problems of inequity.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Cash-Strapped Loretto Hospital Paid Millions to Companies Formed by Ousted Executive’s Pal
Before COO Anosh Ahmed resigned after hooking up friends with early vaccines, Loretto Hospital was paying millions to companies founded by Ahmed’s close pal and business partner.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: No, Chicago Police Department Didn’t Tweet Derek Chauvin Support
The department says it didn’t tweet in support of Chauvin and PolitiFact found no evidence that the viral image is authentic.
Posted inABC 7 Videos, What the Gov
BGA Explores Chicago-Area Black Business Owners’ Experiences Applying for PPP Funding
The Better Government Association spoke with several Black West Side and west suburban business owners about their experiences applying for PPP funds.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
42 Fires, 61 Deaths: A Story of Failed City Oversight
Look at photos. Listen to 911 calls. Read excerpts from key documents.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
The Failures Before the Fires: Dozens Die in Chicago Buildings Where the City Knew of Fire Safety Issues
Saying a federal appeals court mistakenly created a “watershed moment” that could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul sides with insurance titans that administer healthcare reimbursements
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Deadly Fires, Broken Promises
Chicago’s political leaders fail to enact safety rules that stick.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Fuego y Fracaso
En seis años, 61 personas murieron en edificios de Chicago donde la ciudad sabía de problemas de seguridad contra incendios.