Newsroom

School Districts, Residents Bear Some Responsibility for Lyons Township Troubles

Dennis Gianopolus is an attorney for Cal City’s municipal government. But he’s not full-time, and also maintains a private law practice with other clients. So why does he stand to collect a six-figure taxpayer-funded pension some day?

Municipalities must recognize the danger of the local debt crisis and use it as an opportunity to regain control of their finances and fate.

A BGA Rescuing Illinois investigation finds a flood of red ink is crashing over Chicago-area suburbs, threatening to sweep away basic government-backed services and support while also dramatically altering the very standard of living that makes many of them desirable places to live, work and raise families.

State, county and local public finance experts are exploring the impact of the British-based LIBOR scandal on government bonds, pensions and investments.

Forty state lawmakers gave 120 scholarships to individuals living outside of their districts, based on a BGA review of legislative district maps and interviews with city and county election officials.

Public housing CEO makes $216,000 a year, and could qualify for an additional $32,400 annual bonus. How are he and two aides getting around a $155,500 pay ceiling imposed by the federal government?

The Illinois State Police runs a law enforcement database with sensitive information about drivers and criminal suspects. After BGA inquiries, the agency now plans to “look into” whether the teenage son of DuPage County’s sheriff was misusing the system.

Public Building Commission – a public agency tasked with helping the city and county with construction – doles out big raises to employees, as other embarrassments surface.

Ex-Mayor Richard M. Daley kept his police chauffeur-bodyguards after retiring last year – quite the expense for taxpayers, and quite the perk for him. Which raises a question: why isn’t Daley paying taxes on this “unearned income?”