Only a year into his term, Mayor Rahm Emanuel scores high marks for financial belt tightening and providing greater online access to city data and information. Still, the Mayor has tripped over a couple of key “transparency” tests — improving relations with the city Inspector General’s office and making his controversial infrastructure trust plan more open to public scrutiny.
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Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
Teachers Retirement System’s Next Lesson: Slicing Fees
Taxpayer-backed union should focus on reducing money manager costs.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Businessman Asks: Is Politics Stalling Cook County Fraud Probe?
The state’s attorney’s office is investigating a company for alleged minority-contracting scheme, but two prosecutors have owned piece of a related firm. Now, whistleblower questions whether those connections are delaying case.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Why the Hassle?
Opponents of a Stone Park strip club that’s slated to open next to a convent say village officials have been harassing them in an attempt to quell dissent.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
County Bodyguard Puts Car in Body Shop
The top bodyguard for Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is in the news again, this time for crashing an unmarked squad car while preparing for the next morning’s politician pick-up.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
County Watchdog Slams Hospital for Doc’s Double-Dipping Ways
A BGA/NBC investigation prompts Cook County’s inspector general to call for three Stroger Hospital employees to face discipline after doctor received $90,000 in improper payments. But another casualty could be the whistleblower who brought this case to light.
Posted inFollow-Up, Legal, Results & Reforms
COUNTY WATCHDOG SLAMS HOSPITAL FOR DOC’S DOUBLE-DIPPING WAYS
Revelations by the BGA and NBC5 that a Stroger Hospital doctor was getting paid even though he no longer worked for Cook County government prompted an inspector general investigation that found “negligence” and recommended discipline against three employees, including a supervising physician. Also, the BGA’s inquiry prompted the return of roughly $80,000 to county coffers.
Posted inPress Release
BGA and Media Partners Recognized for Stories on Credit Card Abuses by Government Officials
The Better Government Association wins a prestigious Peter J. Lisagor award for a series of news articles and broadcasts over the past year on credit card abuses by government officials in the Chicago area.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Flurry of Questions Over Snow-Removal Contracts
Chicago firefighter’s side business has been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax money to plow in special taxing districts, despite a ban on city workers securing municipal contracts.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, Newsroom
Tragedy Tests Hospital Cops, Results Aren’t Great
The police force assigned to patrol Cook County’s hospital system doesn’t have the best reputation in town.