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Civic Engagement

BGA’s Civic Engagement team works to bridge the gap between people and their government.

We foster knowledge, opportunity and agency with independent projects, such as databases and digital tools, educational events and community building. We also coordinate with and amplify the work of BGA’s Policy team and Newsroom.

What the Gov

What the Gov: What Is Behind Governments’ Ability to Keep Restaurants and Bars Closed?

Pritzker this week ordered restaurants closed for dine-in customers. How can he do that and what does the public need to know about how the closures are enforced?
Mar 20, 2020 6:24 PM
What the Gov

What The Gov: What Questions Do You Have About How Government in Illinois Is Responding to Coronavirus?

What unanswered questions do you have about how public officials in Chicago, Cook County and Illinois are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak? Ask them and our BGA reporters may answer them.
Mar 16, 2020 4:39 PM
What the Gov

What The Gov: What Can Candidates and Elected Officials Buy With Campaign Funds?

The line between legitimate campaign expenses and illegal personal spending is blurry, especially at the state level. So, what's allowed and what's off-limits?
Dec 19, 2019 6:00 AM
What the Gov

What The Gov: Your O’Hare Questions, Answered

Reporter Alejandra Cancino follows up on readers questions received about the BGA’s investigation into O’Hare International Airport.
Aug 8, 2019 10:00 AM
What the Gov

What The Gov: What Does It Mean To Have Six Democratic Socialists on the Chicago City Council?

A slew of democratic socialists now sit on the Chicago City Council. How did that happen, and what does that mean for city politics?
Jul 2, 2019 11:00 AM
What the Gov

What The Gov: Why Is She Called 'Alderman'?

The term “alderman” is used for all Chicago City Council members, regardless of gender. Some incoming aldermen say it’s time to update the title.
Apr 18, 2019 6:00 AM
What the Gov

What the Gov: What Do The Mayoral Candidates Have to Say About The Environment?

Here's how Toni Preckwinkle and Lori Lightfoot's platforms compare on key environmental issues in Chicago, plus what activists want to see from the new mayor.
Mar 28, 2019 4:30 PM
What the Gov

What the Gov: Here Are the Ballot Measures in the Feb. 26 Chicago Elections

Though there aren't any citywide measures, voters in some wards and precincts will weigh in on rent control, marijuana funds and more.
Feb 21, 2019 11:00 AM
Backstory

Chicago City Council

Explaining what the Chicago City Council is, what its function is, how it passes legislation, and more.
February 12, 2019
What the Gov

What the Gov: What Should I Know About the Proposed Public Bank of Chicago?

A proposal for a public bank has voters scratching their heads. Chicago is one of dozens of cities and states that are exploring or discussing similar proposals.
Jan 29, 2019 9:00 AM