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What The Gov? aims to empower all in their understanding of Chicago and Illinois politics and government through a civic journalism lens where we answer questions, identify resources and provide a platform for community engagement.

What the Gov

Pattern of Late-Night Finishes for the Illinois General Assembly Raises Transparency Concerns

Apr 27, 2022 11:30 AM

The ILGA ends almost every session past its deadline. Is it by design?

What the Gov

Community Ask: I have severe glaucoma. I had Illinois Medicaid and recently qualified for Medicare, as well. Why was it so difficult to find treatment from an ophthalmologist?

Navigating Medicaid and Medicare plans can be challenging. Here’s a breakdown of the health care systems.
Mar 29, 2022 9:55 AM
What the Gov

Community Ask: How much does Illinois earn in lottery tickets per year, and where do those proceeds go?

Education is the lottery’s beneficiary, but how much does it really benefit?
Mar 10, 2022 9:55 AM
What the Gov

[RECORDING] BGA Community Forums: Navigating the Story of Cabrini-Green

Listen to an extended recording of the community forum despite attempts by bad actors to silence a much-needed conversation on Cabrini-Green.
Jan 31, 2022 5:59 AM
What the Gov

What Are Your Stories About the Cabrini-Green Community?

The Better Government Association is examining the impact of the city’s decision more than 20 years ago to demolish the Cabrini-Green public housing development and build a new community, and we need your help.
Updated: Dec 15, 2021 @ 6:00 AM
What the Gov

Grieving Father Blasts Shortcomings of Lightfoot’s ‘Scofflaw List’

The BGA and Chicago Tribune recently revealed the limitations of a new city “scofflaw list" that excludes hundreds of unsafe buildings because they don’t meet the lists’ complex criteria. Among the buildings that would have been excluded is the one where Eric Patton Smith’s daughter died.
Oct 14, 2021 10:00 AM

RECAP: “Navigating the Story of Cabrini-Green”

On Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran joined a panel of experts to discuss the BGA investigation, Cabrini-Green’s history, how the Chicago Housing Authority’s record on public housing has affected the lives of Black families — and even the stigmas and untold stories of the Cabrini-Green community.

LISTEN NOW.

Want to participate in a BGA Watchdog Training? Let us know what you'd like to learn!

The BGA on ABC 7 Chicago's Weekend Watch

ABC 7 Videos

Chicago City Council Committee Approves Ordinance on Changes to Curfew for Minors

Mayor Lori Lightfoot's plan to extent the citywide curfew for minors was approved by the Chicago City Council's Public Safety Committee Friday, but not without some sharp criticism
May 23, 2022 9:37 AM

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What The Gov? aims to empower all in their understanding of Chicago and Illinois politics and government through a civic journalism lens where we answer questions, identify resources and provide a platform for community engagement.

Pattern of Late-Night Finishes for the Illinois General Assembly Raises Transparency Concerns

Community Ask: I have severe glaucoma. I had Illinois Medicaid and recently qualified for Medicare, as well. Why was it so difficult to find treatment from an ophthalmologist?

Community Ask: How much does Illinois earn in lottery tickets per year, and where do those proceeds go?

[RECORDING] BGA Community Forums: Navigating the Story of Cabrini-Green

What Are Your Stories About the Cabrini-Green Community?

Grieving Father Blasts Shortcomings of Lightfoot’s ‘Scofflaw List’

RECAP: “Navigating the Story of Cabrini-Green”

Want to participate in a BGA Watchdog Training? Let us know what you'd like to learn!

Chicago City Council Committee Approves Ordinance on Changes to Curfew for Minors

Chicago City Council

The Office of the Illinois Attorney General

Inspectors General in Illinois

COVID-19 Again Hits Illinois Prisons, Exacerbating Long-Standing Failures in Medical and Mental Health Care

Fewer People in Cook County Are Being Charged With Crimes. Why Are Black People Making Up a Larger Share of Defendants?

Biden’s Infrastructure Push Challenges Illinois’ Car-Centric Approach

Illinois Public Pensions Database

Illinois Public Salaries Database

Decoding the Cook County Court System