Results & Reforms

Following BGA investigations of financial irregularities, the Lyons Township School Treasurer is accused of embezzling $1.5 million, pleads guilty to theft and is sentenced to nine years in prison.

After the BGA presses Rauner administration for answers on massive overtime at the Illinois Department of Corrections, the governor proposes hiring 450 new prison guards.

The same day a BGA story appears in the Chicago Sun-Times highlighting proposed police and fire layoffs in Matteson, village officials back off, saying such public-safety cuts are no longer being considered.

The Village of Lynwood fires a cop who allegedly punched a handcuffed prisoner. The south suburb knew for months about the incident but disciplinary proceedings weren’t initiated until after repeated inquiries from the BGA and CBS2.

After the BGA reports that Harvey Mayor Eric Kellogg has repeatedly broken campaign finance laws, for which he was fined $72,750, the Illinois State Board of Elections forces Kellogg to pay up or stay off ballot.

The Illinois Department of Transportation launches a review of all of its Chicago-area vehicles after a BGA investigation finds state-owned pickup trucks with unauthorized tinted windows, one of which was dark enough to be illegal. IDOT also orders such tinting to be removed.

The U.S. House Ethics Committee reveals it is continuing an investigation of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), focusing on BGA/Chicago Sun-Times disclosures that his campaign committee had received free office space for years.

After the BGA reports that a caterer plans to open a mini-casino in a Village of Dolton-owned retirement home for low-income seniors, the Illinois Gaming Board acknowledges it made a mistake and revokes the company’s video gaming license.

Several groups, including the Better Government Association, led a charge this week during the Illinois legislature’s fall veto session to defeat legislation that would have significantly weakened the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, the state’s public records law.

During fast-moving veto session, the BGA, Attorney General, press advocates and public interest groups pressured lawmakers to derail a faulty Freedom of Information bill.