The Better Government Association recently won several awards recognizing quality journalism by the nonprofit watchdog organization.
A BGA story about an ex-Chicago police detective accused of railroading suspects won a Herman Kogan Media Award from the Chicago Bar Association.
The article detailed allegations that a now-retired detective helped rig numerous murder investigations in which the wrong people may have ended up in prison.
A BGA story about a Forest Park police officer accused of raping an intern and still keeping his job – while Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez’s office conducted a questionable investigation into the allegations – was a runner-up in the Kogan contest, which honors quality local journalism that touches on legal issues.
The BGA’s Andrew Schroedter worked on both of the articles.
Meanwhile, a series of news stories on Chicago Public Schools co-authored by former BGA reporter Sarah Karp and WBEZ radio’s Becky Vevea in conjunction with the Better Government Association, Catalyst Chicago and WBEZ won an award from the Education Writers Association honoring excellence in education reporting.
Among the news stories recognized was one from June 10, 2015, headlined “Emanuel touts bogus graduation rate.”
Finally, Andy Shaw recently won a Peter Lisagor award, given by the Chicago Headline Club, for best commentary in 2015 for a series of columns that ended up appearing in the Chicago Sun-Times.
Visit www.bettergov.org for more information on the Better Government Association.
