Results & Reforms

Advocates City Council Committee support OIG oversight of Public Building agency

A ‘Smart Streamlining’ plan passes, a bad FOIA bill dies.

After a year-long investigation into questionable financial and management activities at the Tri-State Fire Protection District in the western suburbs, the veteran chief retires under pressure.

In the wake of questions from the BGA, NBC 5 and others about how a high-ranking state wildlife official was participating in pro fishing tournaments while on taxpayer-subsidized sick leave, the official resigns, though he says his bosses approved of the fishing arrangement and unfairly forced him out.

After questions are raised by the BGA, Maywood’s top political figure comes out against the expansion of the troubled park district police force, arguing that funding is needed for new programming over new cops.

Following a BGA/NBC 5 report that found some Chicago-area police departments allow officers to work with high levels of alcohol in their system, a state law enforcement agency recommended a standardized policy that would limit the acceptable blood-alcohol content level to 0.02 statewide for on-duty personnel.

After the BGA and Crain’s Chicago Business raise questions about a member of the CTA retirement fund soliciting charitable donations from financial firms working for the pension agency, the Regional Transportation Authority and the CTA retirement fund pledge a review to see whether rules or laws were violated.

Just days after the BGA questions U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) about his finances, he pays nearly $16,000 in delinquent property taxes, some going back five years.

After the BGA reports that Harvey Mayor Eric Kellogg is receiving and spending campaign contributions without disclosing them, as the law requires, the chairman of the Illinois State Board of Elections says he will refer the matter to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office to weigh possible criminal prosecution.

In the wake of questions from the BGA, the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund initiates an investigation into why a part-time contract lawyer for Calumet City’s municipal government stands to collect a six-figure taxpayer-subsidized pension someday.