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Coronavirus

The BGA is covering the COVID-19 pandemic with a focus on how municipalities, counties and the Illinois government are handling the crisis.

Newsroom investigations and PolitiFact fact-checks of politicians' statements as well rumors being spread on social media are included. We also mobilized our "What the Gov" series to answer readers' questions.

Coronavirus-related columns by the BGA's president and positions by the BGA's policy teams can also be found here.

From Our President

Greising: FOIA Access Was Protected During a Hectic General Assembly Session. That’s a Good Thing During This Pandemic.

This year, perhaps the worst bad idea was a proposal to suspend the Freedom of Information Act and block access to public records during the height of the COVID-19 crisis.
May 29, 2020 10:18 AM
Action

Tell Lawmakers to Protect Our Nov. 3 Election
May 21, 2020 1:15 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, the Novel Coronavirus Was Not 'Man-Made'

Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford said the novel coronavirus did not occur naturally. In response to our inquiry, she acknowledged she has no proof to back that up.
May 21, 2020 6:00 AM
Who's on Watch

Who’s on Watch? Q&A with BGA Reporter Casey Toner

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Better Government Association is shifting gears to help inform the public about the government's role and actions during the crisis. We (virtually) sat down with BGA reporter Casey Toner to ask him how he is responding to the coronavirus.
May 18, 2020 8:00 AM
From Our President

Greising: Some Want the Economy Flung Open. Wake Up. COVID-19’s No Hoax.

COVID-19 is all too real. Each day brings a new revelation about its ability to avoid detection, its easy travel from carrier to victim, the way it teases the stricken with a brief bout of apparent recovery — before it goes in for the kill.
May 15, 2020 9:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: LaHood Overstates Chicago’s Share of Illinois COVID-19 Cases

Arguing his region of the state should be allowed to start reopening, the congressman said Chicago accounts for nearly all cases of the novel coronavirus in Illinois. But data show the city makes up less than half of the state’s total.
May 14, 2020 3:00 PM
What the Gov

What the Gov: Should Apartment Dwellers Notify Management If They Have COVID-19?

People who live in multi-unit residential buildings share more spaces with their neighbors than those who live in single-family homes. Do they need to inform management if they test positive for the novel coronavirus?
May 13, 2020 6:00 AM
From Our President

Greising: Next on the COVID Hit List: Free and Fair Elections

It's time to start drawing up plans to broadly expand mail-in voting across Illinois.
May 11, 2020 11:00 AM
What the Gov

What the Gov: What is the Future of Weddings in 2020?

Restrictions have limited the size of gatherings and even getting a marriage license isn’t easy anymore. So how can people plan for the biggest day of their lives during a pandemic?
May 11, 2020 6:00 AM
Analysis

With COVID-19 Looming, Illinois Must Act Now to Ensure A Robust, Safe and Fair November Election

To maximize participation, the state should mail a ballot to every registered voter. At the same time, it will be critical to preserve and protect in-person voting options.
May 11, 2020 5:52 AM