Police and fire pension costs in towns and larger cities outside Chicago have grown at a greater rate than property taxes. That is forcing some city leaders to make tough decisions on services and staff.
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Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Trump ‘Dead Wrong’ About the Change in Murders in Chicago
Trump claimed Chicago has lagged the nation in reducing murders over the last two years. The opposite is true: Chicago’s progress has contributed to and even outpaced the national decline.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
BGA and Illinois Press Association Defend NPR Illinois Reporters’ First Amendment Rights
In a letter to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, the BGA’s David Greising and the IPA’s Sam R. Fisher say the university’s Title IX policy is at odds with journalists’ right to protect confidential sources.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Durbin Mostly on Track with Claim on Illinois Deportations
Illinois’ senior senator said fewer than 20% of individuals deported from Illinois were charged with a serious crime. Federal data supports that, but it comes with a few caveats.
Posted inPress Release
BGA Stories on O’Hare and Chicago’s Recycling Program Win National Awards
The two EPPY Awards, handed out by the journalism magazine Editor & Publisher, were for Best Investigative/Enterprise Feature and Best Innovation Project.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: No, 30% of the Nation’s Poor Don’t Reside in California
Speaking about Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to tax income at graduated rates in Illinois, Republican state Rep. Mark Batinick criticized another state with a similar tax system, claiming California is home to a third of those living in poverty nationwide. That’s way off.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Search Warrant Shows Feds Focused on Lyons Mayor, Developer Who Built His House
Sweeping document — released after the village was sued — sought records highlighted in previous BGA investigation, nearby quarry and even the mayor’s home security system.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Dillon: Time to Talk (Again) About Taxing Retirement Income
Illinois is an outlier when it comes to taxing retirement income — it simply doesn’t. That means younger generations will shoulder a tax burden they didn’t create. That’s a disincentive for them to stay.
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal
BGA Sues Town of Lyons for Records in Federal Probe
The Better Government Association joins WBEZ in suing the southwest suburb for records it received as part of growing federal investigation.