The Better Government Association, Civic Federation and League of Women Voters of Chicago sent the following to Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City Council Committee on Rules: February 27, 2024 […]
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Posted inUpdates
The 2024 Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting are Now Open for Submissions
Submissions are now open for the 20th Anniversary Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting. News organizations across Chicago and Illinois are encouraged to apply. The deadline to submit your entry […]
Posted inAnalysis
Campaign Cash from City Contractors Target of New Ethics Ordinance
New limitations on campaign contributions from the owners and executives of city contractors could potentially keep hundreds of donations and hundreds of thousands of dollars out of Chicago’s next election […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
SAFE-T Act Data Collection Begins Behind Schedule
Illinois courts are quickly falling behind in key areas of data-collection required by the state’s new Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act – a lag that is making it […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
Burke Trial Verdict Demands a Culture Shift at City Council
Former Chicago alderperson Ed Burke was today found guilty by a jury on 13 out of 14 charges, including racketeering, conspiracy, extortion and bribery. Co-defendant Charles Cui was also found […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
Council Suspends New Gallery Access Restrictions After BGA Objections
A notice on the Chicago city clerk’s website Tuesday announced the postponement until further notice of proposed rules restricting public access to City Council’s gallery seating. The postponement followed warnings […]
Posted inResearch & Analysis
Hidden Costs: Proposed FOP Contract Contains Millions in Raises, New Protections from Discipline
Salaries and bonuses for Chicago police officers represented by the Fraternal Order of Police in 2024 could exceed the budgeted position costs approved by City Council by $76.8 million or […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
New Rules Inhibit Public Attendance at Council Meetings
After weeks of confusion, written rules for public attendance at Chicago City Council meetings have been published on the City Clerk’s website. The Better Government Association believes the new rules […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
Mayor Johnson’s Proposed FOP Contract Obtained by BGA Policy
A collective bargaining agreement between the City of Chicago and the Fraternal Order of Police, which represents the city’s rank-and-file police officers, is scheduled for a vote today in City […]
Posted inPolicy Statements
BGA Notifies Johnson Administration of Possible Open Meetings Act Violations
The Honorable Brandon Johnson Mayor, City of Chicago CC: Alvin Starks City Council Sergeant-at-Arms Chairwoman Michelle Harris Committee on Committees and Rules December 2, 2023 Dear Mayor Johnson: In […]