Light Burke Sentence Makes Clear the Need for Reform
Former Chicago alderperson Ed Burke today was sentenced to two years in prison and fined $2 million for his conviction on 13 charges, including racketeering, conspiracy, extortion and bribery. The sentence is a relatively light one, sparing Burke the lengthy prison stay of up to 12 ½ years requested by federal prosecutors. Federal sentencing…
BGA Policy Agenda: City of Chicago – 2023/2024
Learn about the BGA Policy’s agenda for the City of Chicago in 2023/2024
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Transparency Watchdog
BGA OpenGov is the Illinois affiliate of the National Freedom of Information Coalition.
Without access to information about the workings of government, it would be impossible for citizens to determine whether taxpayer dollars were being spent responsibly and equitably, or to hold public servants accountable for their actions.
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Updates From BGA
Ink + Impact: Ethics in Government
Join the BGA Second Century Council for a round table breakfast discussion regarding the City Council’s Ethics Committee, with 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin.
The 2024 Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting are Now Open for Submissions
Submissions are now open for the 20th Anniversary Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting. News organizations across Chicago and Illinois are encouraged to apply. The deadline to submit your…
Centennial Celebration & Annual Luncheon
Please join the Better Government Association at our Centennial Celebration & Annual Luncheon honoring Michael J. Sacks and featuring a special conversation with BGA President David Greising, best-selling author…
Policy Statements
Testimony by BGA President David Greising before the House Personnel & Pensions Committee
Chair Kifowit, Vice Chair Rohr, Rep. Reick, members of the committee: Thank you for the invitation to speak today about one of the most important issues facing our state: How to reinvest in our woefully underfunded state pension systems and set the course for prosperity and fiscal stability for years to come. My name is…
Make the Judicial Branch Subject to FOIA
Below is a letter BGA Policy sent to the General Assembly of Illinois urging them to support court transparency: In Illinois, the public has the right to documents and information from every branch of government, except one: the judicial branch of Illinois government. This makes Illinois an outlier among the 50 states, with most states…
BGA, Civic Federation, League of Women Voters Pen Letter to Mayor Johnson and City Council Regarding Transparency Concerns
The Better Government Association, Civic Federation and League of Women Voters of Chicago sent the following to Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City Council Committee on Rules: February 27, 2024 Dear Mayor Johnson, Rules Committee Chair Michelle Harris and Members of the Rules Committee: The Better Government Association, Civic Federation and the League of Women…
New: Get Involved
Get Involved
Tools to help you locate your elected lawmakers based on where you live and follow legislation we’re tracking.
See What the Illinois State Legislature Is Doing
Better Government Association believes in transparency and accountability, which is why we have partnered with FastDemocracy to bring you some of the most powerful tools to keep tabs on your lawmakers in Springfield and their legislative actions.
Perspectives
Zarou: The New Term Limit for Chicago’s Inspector General Hopefully Will Start a Trend
Advocating for term limits for an office you hold is not the norm. Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg deserves praise.
100 Days In, BGA Policy Reviews Mayor Johnson’s Government Ethics Campaign Promises
100 days ago this Wednesday, Brandon Johnson was sworn in as mayor of Chicago. During the campaign, Johnson, along with all other candidates except incumbent mayor Lori Lightfoot,…
Sophia Van Pelt: Illinois Juvenile Detention Centers Can Hide Mistreatment Behind FOIA Exclusion
It’s hardly news that the juvenile justice system in Illinois is failing the young people it is supposed to serve. In the Cook County detention center alone, advocates and…
Research & Analysis
One Year In, Johnson’s City Council Spends One-Third of its Time on Honorary Resolutions
A year of City Council meetings since the 2023 elections hasn’t seen much change in the body’s time management: Roughly one-third of regular meeting time, from the end of public comment to adjournment, is still spent on honorary, non-binding resolutions, much as it was under the Lightfoot administration. What has changed is the frequency with…
SAFE-T Act Data Collection Begins Behind Schedule
Illinois courts are quickly falling behind in key areas of data-collection required by the state’s new Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act – a lag that is making it increasingly difficult to measure the implementation and effectiveness of Illinois’ new pretrial release system. While the SAFE-T Act required the collection of county-level data to…
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Review, explore and compare compensation for public employees throughout Illinois.
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Follow the money paid to retired public-sector employees throughout Illinois.
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