The BGA policy team urges Chicago aldermen to remove obstacles that prevent their fiscal advisory staff from doing its job. The office was created to provide independent guidance on matters involving taxpayer dollars.
Archives
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Bernie Sanders Says 49% of ‘New’ Income Goes to the Top 1%
The presidential candidate told a crowd of Chicago Teachers Union members that the nation’s richest 1% are seeing nearly half of all income growth. That’s an updated version of an even more striking figure he’s used in the past.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Storms, Flooding Hit Poorest Communities Hardest
In the Chicago area, flooding has often disproportionately hit the south suburbs, particularly low-income communities. And it’s going to get worse with climate change.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Federal Agents Raid Lyons Village Hall
The raid followed previous BGA coverage of nepotism and cozy deals involving Mayor Chris Getty. Agents also visited village halls in neighboring McCook and Summit.
Posted inPress Release
Event Recap | Membership Launch Party
BGA welcomed 65 members at the official membership program launch party at Rock Bottom Brewery.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Trump Policies Duckworth Cited Haven’t Hurt Housing Access — Yet
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth blasted President Donald Trump for a series of policies she said have exacerbated the nation’s homelessness crisis. But none of the plans she cited have been implemented, a point she acknowledged on social media following our inquiry.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Dillon: What Part Of ‘No Golden Parachutes’ Is So Hard To Understand?
A new law meant to end outrageous severance deals for public executives took effect Jan. 1. It didn’t take long for Western Illinois University to find a way around it.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Watchdog Slams Chicago’s Air Pollution Oversight
Audit by the inspector general follows a BGA/Medill investigation that found under Mayor Rahm Emanuel the city’s environmental enforcement declined amid cuts to inspection staff.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Millions in Tax Breaks for Ed Burke’s Law Clients Fronted by Fellow Aldermen
Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson and former Ald. Michael R. Zalewski sponsored six resolutions that benefited clients of Burke’s law firm. The moves allowed the now-indicted alderman to skirt city conflict-of-interest rules.
Posted inAnalysis, Perspective, Policy
Dillon: Let the people speak (for more than 30 minutes)
Chicago aldermen should welcome citizen participation at City Council meetings — instead of acting like public input is something to be endured.