Judged by a panel of journalists and media educators, the awards were launched two decades ago by the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, thanks in large part to the late Richard Driehaus’ vested belief in the power of journalism as a cornerstone of democracy, in addition to his long-standing collaboration with awards partner, the Better Government Association.
Archives
BGA, Civic Federation, Center for Tax and Budget Accountability Statement on Budget Transparency Ordinance
Chicago’s city council is set to vote on a package of ordinances setting the municipal budget for 2025. A late start, the mayor’s failure to provide detailed information requested by […]
Department of Procurement Services – BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot
Departmental Highlights Snapshot: Appropriation & Staffing Changes from 2024 Budget 2024 Budgeted 2025 Proposed Net Change Percent Change Appropriations $14,605,398 $13,978,092 -$627,306 -4.3% Positions & FTEs 136 131 -5 -3.7% […]
Department of Law – BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot
Departmental Highlights Snapshot: Appropriation & Staffing Changes from 2024 Budget 2024 Budgeted 2025 Proposed Net Change Percent Change Appropriations $46,229,759 $45,920,152 -$309,607 -0.7% Positions & FTEs 427 406 -21 -4.9% […]
Chicago Animal Care & Control – BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot
Departmental Highlights Snapshot: Appropriation & Staffing Changes from 2024 Budget 2024 Budgeted 2025 Proposed Net Change Percent Change Appropriations $7,698,109 $7,531,760 -$166,349 -2.2% Positions & FTEs 82 79 -3 -3.7% […]
Department of Environment – BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot
2025 is the second budget to feature a Department of Environment as a standalone department. It appeared in the 2023 budget as the “Office of Climate and Environmental Equity,” with […]
Department of Administrative Hearings – BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot
The Department of Administrative Hearings is a quasi-judicial body authorized to administer hearings on ordinance violations that do not include a penalty of imprisonment. Administrative hearings offer an alternative to […]
City Treasurer – BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot
The city treasurer is one of three elected city-wide officials, along with the mayor and the clerk. The treasurer manages the city’s bank accounts, as well as its pension and […]
Chicago Board of Election Commissioners – BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot
The Board of Election Commissioners is established under state elections law and technically is part of the judicial branch, but receives operational funding from the City of Chicago. BoEC oversees […]
Department of Human Resources – BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot
Departmental Highlights Snapshot: Appropriation & Staffing Changes from 2024 Budget 2024 Budgeted 2025 Proposed Net Change Percent Change Appropriations $13,792,309 $13,495,641 -$296,668 -2.2% Positions & FTEs 134 123 -11 -8.2% […]
