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BGA Covers the Blagojevich Trial
Live Blagojevich Twitter Coverage
The invisible defendant at the Blagojevich trial is state government itself---how it was run and what we got for our tax dollars. That makes the trial a "teaching moment" for all of us, a chance to see our government up close and personal. If we don't like what we see and hear, we have an obligation to make changes. That's the BGA mission, and that's why we're watching the trial so closely and commenting on developments frequently and visibly on TV, radio and the internet.
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Click here for Blagojevich Trial Exhibits
Laying Down The Law
July 27, 2010. Closing arguments are done, the lawyers have said their last words, and the jury has been dismissed for the day. So, what’s next? Tomorrow morning, Judge Zagel will instruct the jury on the law and inform them of their duties as jurors. Among other things, Judge Zagel will tell the jury that it is their duty to (1) decide the facts from the evidence, and (2) apply the law, as given by Judge Zagel, to the facts. Judge Zagel will also instruct the jury that they have to perform these duties “fairly and impartially,” and that they not allowed to be influenced by “sympathy, fear, or public opinion.”[more]
Government Payroll Database
A Good Government Perspective
The BGA's payroll database is an online tool designed for members of the public to easily access information on the spending of state and local units of government.
News & Views
July 27, 2010. Corruption trials are apparently family affairs in Chicago, which may explain why, for the second day in row, 14-year-old Amy Blagojevich is in court for closing arguments in her dad's trial on 24 counts of allegedly illegal political activities. Defense attorney Sheldon Sorosky says that Amy's been asking to attend a court proceeding and this seemed like the right time. The court of public opinion disagrees, calling it a cynical and craven stunt, but Amy's back in court today, listening to a spirited defense of dear old dad from fiery lawyer Sam Adam Jr., who says he is willing to go to jail for contempt of court if that's what it takes to mount a spirited enough argument to keep his client out of the slammer. [more]
Dog-Gone: Wrong Animals Euthanized at Chicago's Dog Pound
- BGA / FOX Chicago Investigation
- Sun-Times Article
Out to Lunch: CPS Employees Violating Rules to Get Their Kids Free Lunches
BGA / CBS-2 Investigation
Lawyers Cancel Golf Outing for Judges After FOX/BGA/Chief Judge Raise Questions
FOX Chicago
Judges Reassigned for Unacceptable Behavior
FOX Chicago
We Got Results: Chief Judge Acts as a Result of our Investigation
-Daily Herald Story
-Chief Judge Evans Statement: Evans Appoints Mentors in Response to our Story
Some Cook County Judges Caught Working Part-Time Hours for Full-Time Pay
-BGA on WLS-890
-NEWS RELEASE
Water District Salaries Soak Taxpayers
-Chicago News Cooperative
-News Coop Partnership
-Water District Data
-New York Times
-FOX Chicago Story
Patrick Collins Pens Book on Reform
But will reform-minded ex-fed run for office?
Dorothy Dumps Denim Day
-Dane Placko Reports
-Andy Shaw Q & A
Insider Turned Lobbyist Helps Campaign Contributor Get Government Contracts
BGA / Sun-Times Investigation
Blago's Upcoming Performance
-Time
-NPR Morning Edition
-Washington Post
-WBEZ 848
BGA on Blago Trial: Good Theater But Don't Lose Sight of Important Good Government Issues
Op-Ed: Sun-Times 5/21
Sun-Times Lauds BGA & UIC for Proposed Lobbying Reforms that Cook County Board is Considering
-Sun-Times Article
FOX Chicago / BGA Projects Win Awards
-Big Sleep at Cook County HIghway Dept
-Mob Boss' Mom Gets Suburban Contract
