A bill designed to eliminate unnecessary units of government, which is sponsored by state Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo), and supported by the BGA, passes in the General Assembly and goes to Gov. Pat Quinn to be signed into law.
BGA
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal, Results & Reforms
CPS UNPLUGS CONTRACTOR
Following questions from the BGA, Chicago Public Schools says it will no longer work with an electrical contractor that has been paid more than $3 million since August 2012, when the company was banned by City Hall for allegedly lying about its ownership to win city contracts.
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal, Results & Reforms
PENSION FUND ACTS FOLLOWING BGA PROBE
Prompted by a BGA investigation that raised questions about pension eligibility, the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund decides to strip away taxpayer-subsidized retirement benefits from a politically connected attorney working for the municipal governments in Calumet City and Chicago Heights.
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal, Results & Reforms
SHOTS AND LAGERS, CHUTES AND LADDERS
After BGA reveals that many firefighters, like cops, are allowed to work with booze in their system, legislation is proposed to create “zero tolerance” for all first responders.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Emanuel Emails Lead To Lobbying Probe Of Former Obama Aide Plouffe
David Plouffe, a former White House strategist, under ethics scrutiny for unauthorized lobbying of mayor to help ride-sharing giant Uber; Potential fines could reach $92,000.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
BGA Complaints Prompt City To Peel Away Some Redactions In Rahm Emails
Chicago relents on some material it had blacked out from view on recently released personal emails that Mayor Rahm Emanuel had used to conduct public business. Much of the newly exposed material appears a far cry from the definition of what qualifies for an exemption.
Posted inLegal
Judge Orders Review In Rauner Email Case Brought By BGA
Ruling sets in motion process to determine whether Illinois governor and top aides were using personal email to conduct government business.
Posted inUncategorized
Submit Now For The 2017 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards For Investigative Reporting
The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting recognize the best in government-related investigative reporting from across the Midwest region*. The Better Government Association is now accepting submissions for […]
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Personal Rahm Emanuel Emails Reveal Much About Business, Little About Scandals
Emails released after BGA lawsuit show mayor monitoring press coverage while revealing little about scandals like those involving Laquan McDonald, Barbara Byrd-Bennett.
Posted inLegal
BGA Forces Release Of Mayor Rahm Emanuel Private Emails, Garners Landmark Policy Shift
As a result of a BGA investigation and legal action, The City of Chicago and Mayor Rahm Emanuel have agreed to release all of Emanuel’s private emails related to city business. View the documents in this story.