How the United Neighborhood Organization used clout to grow from a small Latino community group into a multi-million-dollar enterprise subsidized by taxpayers – and how old-school politics might be its undoing.
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Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
UNO, Law Firm In Harmony
The United Neighborhood Organization wasn’t the only one benefiting from a $98 million state grant – the law firm of an influential state lawmaker also got a cut.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Before Getting Another Dime In Funding, Circuit Clerk Needs To Embrace Reforms
Dorothy Brown’s 13-year reign as Cook County’s Circuit Court Clerk gets mixed reviews, but two things are pretty evident: She’s bold, and politically connected.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Before Getting Another Dime In Funding, Circuit Clerk Needs To Embrace Reforms
Dorothy Brown’s 13-year reign as Cook County’s Circuit Court Clerk gets mixed reviews, but two things are pretty evident: She’s bold, and politically connected.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
One Resolution: Lose The Fat (From Governmental Bodies)
This is how a wishful watchdog hopes our Illinois state legislators spent New Year’s Eve: Popping a Champagne cork, strapping on a party hat, pulling out a kazoo — and then considering some serious resolutions.
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal, Results & Reforms
CAMPAIGN CRACKDOWN
After the BGA reports that Harvey Mayor Eric Kellogg is receiving and spending campaign contributions without disclosing them, as the law requires, the chairman of the Illinois State Board of Elections says he will refer the matter to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office to weigh possible criminal prosecution.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Top Ten Investigations Of 2013
In the spirit of the season, here’s what we consider the Better Government Association’s “Top Ten Investigations of 2013” — not in order of importance because that’s too arbitrary, but chronologically.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
More Smoke Coming Out Of Tri-State
Firefighters, of all people, know that where there’s smoke, there’s often fire.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Kellogg Flakes, Public Should Be Frosted
Campaign committee overseen by Harvey Mayor Eric J. Kellogg refuses to file fundraising disclosure reports required under Illinois law – meaning voters have no real way of keeping watch over his donors and spending.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Top Ten Investigations Of 2013
In the spirit of the season, here’s what we consider the Better Government Association’s “Top Ten Investigations of 2013” — not in order of importance because that’s too arbitrary, but chronologically.