Results & Reforms

JUNE 27, 2011 — After a BGA/WGN-TV investigation into Country Club Hills Mayor Dwight Welch’s spending, the city council eliminates all but one city credit card.

In wake of BGA legal action that forced mayor to release personal emails, Chicago Board of Ethics levies fine against David Plouffe, who lobbied mayor on behalf of Uber.

JUNE 3, 2011 — In response to BGA/FOX Chicago News investigations into credit card usage at city agencies, Mayor Rahm Emanuel takes action to curb abuse by cancelling all city credit cards.

JUNE 1, 2011 — BGA/FOX Chicago News investigations reportedly hasten Chicago Park District Superintendent Tim Mitchell’s departure, which follows the forced exit of his chief of staff.

MAY 2011 — A series of investigations by the BGA and the Post-Tribune find that a high-ranking official with the Hobart (Ind.) Fire Department had quietly sold or traded municipal property—including a snowmobile, workout equipment and an old fire truck—to current and former members of the department, with little or no documentation. The official retires as police launch a

MAY 20, 2011 — After the BGA and FOX Chicago News report that the Chicago Park District is dragging its feet repairing the Garfield Park Gymnasium, which serves at-risk youth on the West Side, the agency ramps up renovations.

May 12, 2011 — A series of BGA/FOX Chicago News investigations report on mismanagement and questionable financial practices at the Chicago Park District. After one of the reports, the superintendent’s chief of staff is suspended over credit card use. The Park District Board retains a pair of law firms to conduct an audit and review of district spending and procedures.

APRIL 26, 2011 — An Englewood resident who complained about illegal dumping in a vacant lot next to her home finally sees results — after the BGA and FOX Chicago News get involved and start asking questions of the city’s Department of Streets and Sanitation, which ultimately cleared away the rat-infested debris.

APRIL 25, 2011 — City bureaucrats who had been insisting that an elderly South Side couple owe the government more than $1,300 for a garage tear-down finally back off after the BGA investigates and presents evidence that the couple did not own the garage in question.

April 18, 2011 — Cook County launches an internal probe to examine excessive spending and ways in which it could be limited after a BGA/Crain’s investigation exposes excessive use of overtime by Cook County hospitals and clinics, reporting that approximately $40 million is spent annually on overtime pay.