Legislator voted on grant programs that benefit his wife and the nonprofit where she works.
Follow-Up
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Where’s Lisa?
Illinois has some of the worst public corruption in the nation. Attorney General Lisa Madigan pledged to combat it, but critics say she’s fallen short. Her aides say state law restricts what she can do.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
IDOT Secretary Talks About BGA’s Clout Hiring Investigation
For nearly a year after the Better Government Association exposed widespread issues with clout hiring at the Illinois Department of Transportation, agency secretary Ann Schneider stayed quiet. She refused to grant an interview to the BGA on the topic.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
Pension Free-For-All
Public pension systems in the Chicago area have little or no oversight when it comes to trustees and staff members accepting gifts and other freebies from vendors or prospective vendors.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Quinn Clout Hiring Faces Court Scrutiny
BGA investigation on clout hiring on Gov. Pat Quinn’s watch prompts motion for a court-appointed watchdog – similar to what exists in Chicago and Cook County governments.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
The Stone Park Trifecta
A former mayor and two former police chiefs in Stone Park are drawing pensions from the village’s obscure little fund. What else do they have in common? All three are felons.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Prisons, Profits And Politics
Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration awarded a lucrative contract to a prison healthcare company with a questionable track record. Turns out that company has ties to Quinn’s political opponent, Republican Bruce Rauner.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
The North Pour
Winnetka is grappling with an environmental controversy – how to alleviate bad flooding without over-polluting Lake Michigan and our drinking water.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Clout Questions At CTA, RTA And CHA
The BGA, with the Chicago Sun-Times, resurrects The Public Eye column, digging deeper into local government – including agencies dealing with transit and housing.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Moving The Needle
Separate investigations by the Better Government Association with CBS2 and the Chicago Sun-Times – on U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush and Chicago ambulances – are seeing results, helping with transparency and public safety.