As we head into the final innings, the box score indicates the General Assembly is playing “small ball”—moving ahead on bills aimed at eliminating a few more unnecessary units of government, expanding transparency, increasing civic engagement, and improving the criminal justice system.
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Posted inPress Release
BGA Updates, Upgrades Popular Payroll Database
Better Government Association adds new salary information on public-sector workers throughout Chicago region, Illinois.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Game Of (Pension) Pick-Up In Public Schools
Many Chicago-area school systems cover pension contributions for teachers and administrators – a little known and, for taxpayers, potentially costly benefit.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Suburbs Need Internal Watchdogs to Hold Officials Accountable
Investigative reporters and groups like the Better Government Association watch from the outside, but someone—preferably an independent inspector general with broad powers— should be watching from the inside.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Despite Mayoral Loss, Jesus “Chuy” Garcia A Pension Winner
Unsuccessful mayoral candidate will see his government pensions rise after retroactively contributing to city pension fund, covering his long-ago time in City Council.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
Mike Madigan’s Folly? Don’t Be So Sure
The Speaker’s so-called ‘millionaires’ tax’ could have legs despite intense opposition from powerful opponents, including the governor, says a BGA Rescuing Illinois report.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
BGA Joins Legal Fight To Preserve Police Records
Police brutality leaves two victims in its violent wake: Physically abused suspects, who obviously suffer the most painful injuries; and taxpayers, who take a financial beating when government is ordered to compensate targets of excessive force.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
Cook County’s Animal Care Agency Draws Scrutiny
Anyone who’s followed the BGA over the past couple years probably knows we’ve taken a bite out of Chicago’s Animal Care and Control – the city government agency that has long operated with a profound dysfunction, sometimes leading to needless suffering of animals and a waste of tax dollars.
Posted inAnalysis, Policy
BGA Gears Up For Another Battle To Protect FOIA
Despite opposition from the BGA and other government transparency advocates, a legislative committee approved a measure late last month that would weaken the Illinois Freedom of Information Act or FOIA.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
Will New Leadership At CTA Pension Fund Bring Reforms?
Like a passenger on the L platform, we’re still waiting.