Secret City Council meetings, destruction of police files, and statewide access to public records: They’ve all been on the line in the last few weeks. Using COVID-19 as cover, governments in Chicago and Springfield have sought to go behind closed doors and shut out the public—but the Better Government Association has been there to stop […]
BGA President David Greising will discuss the need for comprehensive ethics reform and recommendations for how to make reform a reality in this virtual talk sponsored by the City Club of Chicago. The event is free to both members and non-members but registration is required. Register here.
Hear from Lightfoot herself on Sept. 29, as she’s questioned about her administration’s actions from the “Lens on Lightfoot” collaboration and from the public.
Join us on Monday, July 26, from 6 - 7 p.m. for an interactive virtual discussion moderated by BGA's Investigative Reporter Sidnee King on Facebook Live. King will be joined by community advocates to discuss the criminalization of Black youth, the issues that affect young Black life in Chicago, and where the solutions are for Black youth involved in carjackings and other crimes considered violent.
Set your reminders to join us on Facebook Live or register for the event through our Eventbrite page.
In Cook County, thousands of people are arrested every year for possessing small amounts of drugs only to have their cases thrown out just days later. It’s due to an unwritten rule in the courts that costs millions of dollars in taxes and costs those getting arrested their jobs, their homes and their freedom.
A new investigation, “Dead-End Drug Arrests,” examines this pattern in Cook County. The Better Government Association and the Chicago Sun-Times found those charged with carrying less than one gram of drugs are still routinely arrested although their charges are overwhelmingly dismissed in the earliest stages of their court cases.
Chicago’s new City Council will take office on May 15th. But how does it all really work, inside the council chambers? Join the Better Government Association’s policy team for an in-depth seminar on the history, rules, and workings of Chicago City Council. Free and open to the public, this seminar will be especially beneficial to […]
Join the Better Government Association for a night of celebration at the 2023 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting! The awards highlight the impact of Illinois investigative and enterprise reporting as a reform tool within the context of state and local government waste, fraud, and corruption. The evening will be a celebration of […]
FOIA is a critically important tool in every investigative reporter's toolkit. Join us for a virtual training with Freedom of Information attorney Matt Topic for a refresher on filing FOIA requests, how to best utilize FOIA in your reporting, the legal limits of FOIA, and what to do if your FOIA requests are denied. This […]
Join the BGA Policy team in sharing the structure of Chicago's government, and the tools available to you to connect with Chicago's government officials. We'll also be there to discuss any questions you might have for us and the work we do. Light refreshments will be provided. Topics we will cover: REGISTER HERE
Join the BGA Second Century Council for a round table breakfast discussion regarding the City Council's Ethics Committee, with 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin.This event is programmed for all current Patron level supporters+ and invited guests. Please reach out to the development team at YourImpact@bettergov.org with any questions. Event Details: March 21, 2024 | 8:30am - 10:30am The Thompson […]
Step into the heart of literary excellence at the American Writers Museum, and engage in captivating conversations, share experiences, and forge connections with like-minded individuals who share a vested belief in the power of journalism and good government. Full bar and appetizers will be served. Hear from industry leaders as they share insights, stories, and […]
