Toni Preckwinkle has earned high marks for cleaning up county government in her first few months on the job. But a pair of recent job hires might make you wonder if old-fashioned patronage politics still has a place at the County building.
BGA
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
CHA CEO Used Credit Cards for Expensive Dinners
In response to BGA/FOX Chicago investigations, Mayor Rahm Emanuel cut city credit cards Friday. What really set him off were the expenses of the four top Chicago Housing Authority officials, including the CEO, Lewis Jordan.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
A Shocking Heist
Thieves steal $20K worth of electrical cable from supposedly secure city warehouse. How did it happen?
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal, Results & Reforms
EMANUEL CUTS CREDIT CARDS
JUNE 3, 2011 — In response to BGA/FOX Chicago News investigations into credit card usage at city agencies, Mayor Rahm Emanuel takes action to curb abuse by cancelling all city credit cards.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Emanuel Cuts City Agency Credit Card Use After BGA/FOX Investigation
In response to our recent investigations into credit card usage at city agencies, Mayor Rahm Emanuel took action to curb abuse.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
BGA Investigations Prompt Early Exit for Parks Chief
Recent BGA/FOX Chicago News investigations reportedly are hastening Chicago Park District Supt. Tim Mitchell’s departure, which follows the forced exit of his chief of staff.
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal, Results & Reforms
INVESTIGATIONS PROMPT RESIGNATION
JUNE 1, 2011 — BGA/FOX Chicago News investigations reportedly hasten Chicago Park District Superintendent Tim Mitchell’s departure, which follows the forced exit of his chief of staff.
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal, Results & Reforms
EARLY RETIREMENT
MAY 2011 — A series of investigations by the BGA and the Post-Tribune find that a high-ranking official with the Hobart (Ind.) Fire Department had quietly sold or traded municipal property—including a snowmobile, workout equipment and an old fire truck—to current and former members of the department, with little or no documentation. The official retires as police launch a
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
Open and Transparent Gov’t is Under Attack — Tell Your Lawmakers to Vote NO on HB1716
HB1716, SA1—the FOIA rollback bill—creates a new category of FOIA requester: the “recurrent requester,” referred to as a “vexatious requester” in earlier versions of the legislation.
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal, Results & Reforms
RAMPED-UP RENOVATIONS
MAY 20, 2011 — After the BGA and FOX Chicago News report that the Chicago Park District is dragging its feet repairing the Garfield Park Gymnasium, which serves at-risk youth on the West Side, the agency ramps up renovations.