The line between legitimate campaign expenses and illegal personal spending is blurry, especially at the state level. So, what’s allowed and what’s off-limits?
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Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
PolitiFact’s 2019 Lie of the Year
Donald Trump claimed a federal whistleblower got ‘almost completely wrong’ the details of Trump’s call with Ukraine’s president. PolitiFact National names that its Lie of the Year for 2019.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Would Chicago’s Casino Tax Plan Raise City’s Take?
State Sen. Dave Syverson said a proposal to lower the effective tax rate on Chicago’s future casino would require the state to reduce its cut while allowing the city to raise taxes. That doesn’t quite square with the language in the bill.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Ives Wrongly Calls Casten’s Public Town Halls ‘Invite-Only’
In an attack on Democratic Rep. Sean Casten, the GOP congressional hopeful suggested Casten limits access to his public events. Her own evidence belies that claim.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Lightfoot’s Actions on Environmental Campaign Promises Are Off to a Slow Start
Chicago mayor says budget constraints have cooled her ambitious plans. Her 2020 budget includes no new funding for additional pollution inspectors.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Evidence Lacking for Pritzker’s Pension Buyout Claim
The governor said a study estimated the state’s pension buyout program could save up to $25 billion, but his office won’t provide the “proprietary” study.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
CDC To Review Air Pollution Near East St. Louis, Duckworth Says
Illinois senator asked for assessment of toxic releases from Veolia plant, a site profiled in a recent BGA story about President Trump’s diminished EPA.
Posted inPress Release
BGA Joins Six Other Chicago Newsrooms to Examine Mayor Lightfoot’s First Year
The new “Lens on Lightfoot” series will pool the resources of multiple newsrooms across the city to evaluate the mayor’s administration.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Dillon: Serious About Ethics Reforms? Start Here
The General Assembly needs a fully empowered inspector general. It also needs stronger laws against legislative misconduct.
Posted inPress Release
BGA Investigations Win Emmy, Award from Chicago Journalists Association
The two pieces focused on mismanagement at O’Hare airport and the cost to taxpayers of government sexual misconduct cases.