This year’s Annual Luncheon celebrates the Better Government Association’s 100+ year record of advancing a more transparent, equitable and accountable government for all the people of Illinois through investigative journalism, […]
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Posted inResearch & Analysis
New Revenues for Chicago, Mentioned in Budget Hearings, Not On Mayor’s Springfield Agenda
A series of new lobbying priorities announced by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson at a press conference last week included tweaks to revenues the city currently receives from the state government, […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
State Courts Lag on Electronic Monitoring Data Required by SAFE-T Act
As BGA Policy has consistently highlighted, Illinois’ judicial branch is not subject to FOIA, leaving entities like juvenile detention centers, policies and procedures of judicial agencies, training manuals and budget […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
Legal Evaluation Finds “No Legal Prohibitions” on Proposed Ordinance to Strengthen Chicago’s Inspector General
In a legal opinion solicited by the Better Government Association, Chicago law firm Loevy + Loevy found no legal prohibitions to an ordinance proposed by City Council ethics chair Ald. […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
BGA Policy Calls on House and Senate Leaders to Create Transparent Online Archives for Proceedings
Last month, we sent a letter to the Senate President and Speaker of the House requesting that they update their chambers and join the 44 other states that have free archives online […]
Join us for Beyond the Byline and the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting
Join us for Beyond the Byline: Featuring the 21st Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting on Thursday, May 15th, from 3:30-8:30 P.M. at Venue SIX10 in downtown Chicago.This […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
BGA Vice President of Policy testifies in favor of anti-SLAPP legislation
Chairwoman Gong Gershowitz, Spokesperson Ugaste, My name is Bryan Zarou, and I am the Vice President of Policy at the Better Government Association. The Better Government Association strongly supports HB1077. […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
Mayor and Allies Obstruct Inspector General Reforms –“Outright Hostility to Ethics and Oversight”
Close mayoral ally Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez on Wednesday delayed a reform measure championed by ethics committee chair Ald. Matt Martin and Inspector General Deborah Witzburg, using a parliamentary process to divert the ordinance to the rules committee.
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Alleging Obstruction, Chicago’s Inspector General Turns to City Council for Stronger Laws
In a memo sent Friday to the Chicago City Council’s ethics committee, city Inspector General Deborah Witzburg laid out a series of what her office characterizes as obstructions by the […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
Better Government Association Statement: Madigan Trial Verdict
Former longtime Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan today was found guilty by a jury on 10 out of 23 charges, including conspiracy, bribery and other charges in relation to a jobs-for-votes scheme and additional abuses of public office.