How the United Neighborhood Organization used clout to grow from a small Latino community group into a multi-million-dollar enterprise subsidized by taxpayers – and how old-school politics might be its undoing.
BGA
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Before Getting Another Dime In Funding, Circuit Clerk Needs To Embrace Reforms
Dorothy Brown’s 13-year reign as Cook County’s Circuit Court Clerk gets mixed reviews, but two things are pretty evident: She’s bold, and politically connected.
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal, Results & Reforms
CAMPAIGN CRACKDOWN
After the BGA reports that Harvey Mayor Eric Kellogg is receiving and spending campaign contributions without disclosing them, as the law requires, the chairman of the Illinois State Board of Elections says he will refer the matter to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office to weigh possible criminal prosecution.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Top Ten Investigations Of 2013
In the spirit of the season, here’s what we consider the Better Government Association’s “Top Ten Investigations of 2013” — not in order of importance because that’s too arbitrary, but chronologically.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
More Smoke Coming Out Of Tri-State
Firefighters, of all people, know that where there’s smoke, there’s often fire.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
Gray’s Goodbye?
The embattled financial adviser handling more than $1 billion in pension assets for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Retirement Fund appears to be on the way out.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Rep. Rush Should Face Ethics Probe
Some of you may have read or heard about a Better Government Association investigation of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) that ran in the Chicago Sun-Times last weekend.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Pension Reform: Not Done Yet
Public employees, past and present, consider the financial sacrifices they’re being asked to swallow in the state’s pension deal an unconstitutional betrayal by the Illinois lawmakers who supported the bill.
Posted inPress Release
BGA Wins Reforms From Agency After Filing Lawsuit
Better Government Association sues Cook County Recorder of Deeds for refusing to accept Freedom of Information Act requests via email; agency relents, pledges greater accessibility of public records.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Here We Go Again
Cook County Recorder of Deeds Karen Yarbrough is again drawing fire for allegedly thumbing her nose at court-imposed anti-patronage rules.