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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.

Civic Engagement

How BGA Took Its Story on Failing CHA Elevators Offline to Reach Seniors in Public Housing

We realized many seniors living in Chicago public housing might not ever see our story about the failing elevators in their buildings. So we brought the story to them.
Jul 11, 2018 6:00 AM
Podcast

Open Primaries with John Opdycke

On this episode of Ready Set Gov, we interview John Opdycke President of a New York nonprofit, Open Primaries. Illinois currently does not have open primaries, which rubs some voters the wrong way. John walks us through how Open Primaries can help voters elect officials that better reflect their views, rather than their party affiliations.
Jun 11, 2018 12:15 PM
Podcast

Public Pensions: The Crisis No One is Talking About with Laurence Msall

You've heard Illinois is in the midst of a public pension crisis, but do you know how we got here? Special guest Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, a nonpartisan government finance think tank, walks us through the history of the problem and what our government can do to dig Illinois out of its pension hole.
May 29, 2018 4:15 PM
Podcast

A Child's First 1,100 Days are Critical, with guest Geoff Nagle

On this episode of Ready Set Gov, we sit down with Geoff Nagle, President and CEO of the Erikson Institute, to talk about the critical importance of early childhood education, especially in the lives of kids who experience trauma and violence in their communities.
May 14, 2018 3:25 PM
Podcast

[SPECIAL EP] Sources, Secrets, and Storytellers with Daniel Ellsberg

This special episode of Ready Set Gov was recorded live at the 2018 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting, produced annually by the BGA. Andy Shaw interviewed renowned whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg on the City Winery stage about his historic decision to leak the "Pentagon Papers" and other issues revolving around secrecy, civil liberties and the constitution.
May 7, 2018 1:00 PM
Podcast

[SPECIAL EP] Redistricting: Mapping a Fairer Future for Illinois

On this special episode of Ready Set Gov, we talk with Jeff Raines and Andy Kang about an important upcoming opportunity for Illinoisans to speak out against partisan gerrymandering. Learn how you can participate in this historic turning point for our state.
Apr 25, 2018 1:50 PM
Podcast

Digital Government in Illinois, Part 1: Is Illinois on the Bleeding Edge or Lagging Behind?

On this episode of Ready Set Gov, we explore the future of Illinois government with the help of Rep. Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside, who walks us through blockchain, cryptocurrency and the possible applications of new digital tools and practices in Illinois government.
Apr 9, 2018 4:00 PM
Podcast

Changing 'The Chicago Way' with Amara Enyia, Public Policy Consultant

"I think the city of Chicago has created one of the most starkly inequitable cities." - Amara Enyia, public policy consultant and this week's guest on the pod.
Mar 26, 2018 10:30 AM
Backstory

Term Limits

Explaining why Illinois doesn’t have term limits, why term limits are popular, and more.
March 25, 2018
Backstory

Income Tax

Explaining why Illinois has a flat income tax, whether a progressive income tax system is better, and more.
March 21, 2018