The Costly Toll of Dead-end Drug Arrests, published in December, examined how thousands of Chicagoans — mostly Black men — are arrested on drug possession charges judges, police and prosecutors all know will never stick.
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Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Pritzker Says Illinois’ Unemployment Rate Dropped More Than Other Big States
During his State of the State address, Gov. J.B. Pritzker claimed Illinois reduced its unemployment rate more than any of the nation’s other big states and its Midwestern neighbors. That checks out, but needs some additional information.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
BGA Calls For Stronger Conflict-of-Interest Laws
Illinois needs better disclosure laws for public officials and explicit, mandatory rules about what lawmakers must do when conflicts arise, BGA Policy Director Marie C. Dillon told a state panel considering ethics reforms.
Posted inPress Release
Others Join BGA in Suing Chicago Over Records Involving Former Police Supt. Eddie Johnson
City repeatedly denied requests for videos, police reports and 911 calls that would shed more light on October 2019 incident in which officers found Johnson asleep behind the wheel of his running vehicle.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Brady Misleads on Graduated Tax Comparison
Citing Oregon as an example of what Illinois’ future will hold if voters approve Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s graduated income tax plan, Illinois Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady made a claim about that state’s tax history that doesn’t hold up.
Posted inPress Release
Event Recap | Pilsen Community Event
BGA and WBEZ hosted an event in Pilsen to hear from community members after a recent investigation regarding the 25th Ward.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Cómo el principal asistente del Concejal Solís consiguió tres trabajos
Mientras el concejal del Distrito 25, Daniel Solís, cooperaba en una investigación de corrupción federal antes de dejar su cargo el año pasado, un miembro de su personal estaba haciendo una nueva carrera como portero en un club nocturno, guardia de seguridad y como lobbista en una empresa de servicios públicos de Illinois.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Newman’s Jab at Lipinski’s Railroad Record Doesn’t Track
Illinois 3rd Congressional District candidate Marie Newman claimed incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski helped put the brakes on a law that prevented trains from blocking crossings. In response to our inquiry, her campaign acknowledged that’s not the case.
Posted inAction, Analysis, Policy
Dillon: Ethics Panel Should Focus On Big Picture
BGA Policy Director Marie C. Dillon testified at the second meeting of the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
How Embattled Alderman Solis’ Top Aide Landed Three Jobs
As 25th Ward Ald. Daniel Solis was cooperating in a sweeping federal corruption probe before leaving office last year, a top staffer was building a new career as a bouncer, security guard and as a lobbyist at an Illinois utility company.