Taxpayers are left holding the bag as Lansing leaders give pay hikes to cops and firefighters as they retire – prompting pensions to soar.
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Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
Quite the Fare for Taxi Owner
Cab company gets fined by city for using salvaged vehicles on Chicago streets – then ends up with hundreds of thousands of dollars in government grant money.
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal, Results & Reforms
RAHM RETURNING LOBBYIST CASH
After the BGA discovers that Rahm Emanuel’s campaign fund apparently violated a pledge not to accept donations from lobbyists, his political action committee announces it will return five donations totaling $7,650.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
State Lawmakers Did OK But Need to Do Much More
While the state’s latest legislative session ends with a whimper and not the big bang of much-needed public pension reform, taxpayers can still chalk up a few important victories.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
Revisiting Rahm’s Lobbyist Pledge
Mayor Emanuel’s pledge not to accept campaign cash from lobbyists is adhered to — for the most part. BGA review prompts some questionable donations to be returned.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
Local Government Has Obesity Problem
Public agencies need a crash diet, with unnecessary units of government eliminated and duplicative functions consolidated.
Posted inPress Release
BGA to House Speaker Madigan: Allow a Vote on Sheahan Pension Amendment
Working to cut pension benefits for state government employees, House Democrats seek to spare one politically influential person from any pension reductions.
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal, Results & Reforms
PROMISING MOVEMENT ON PENSION
Prompted in part by disclosures by the BGA and Chicago Sun-Times of a pension perk apparently crafted by a state legislator just for a member of one of Chicago’s most powerful political families, the Illinois Senate passes a bill to reverse the benefit. While the House didn’t take up the measure, it’s expected to be revisited in the next legislative session.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Legislators Move to Kill Pension Perk for Ex-Chief
Former Oak Brook Police Chief Tom Sheahan’s taxpayer-funded retirement benefits soared thanks to a law that appeared to be quietly crafted several years ago just for him. Now, following a BGA/Sun-Times expose, the Illinois Senate has voted to reverse the sweetheart deal.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
The Wild, Wild West
A Melrose Park cop sues the western suburb in federal court, claiming racial discrimination and accusing police brass of ignoring misconduct – including allegations of cops soliciting a prostitute, shooting a squad car and stealing a golf cart.