The Better Government Association (BGA) raised more than $1 million at its 2021 luncheon: Character Matters. The annual luncheon, the BGA’s signature fundraising event, was held September 23 at the Fairmont Chicago Hotel in the Loop. It was also broadcast live via webcast.
Marta Carreira-Slabe, BGA Board Vice Chair, emceed the event and thanked the audience for their commitment “to demand better from our government.”
BGA President & CEO David Greising welcomed guests to the BGA’s first in-person event since the pandemic began and highlighted the organization’s work and growth over the last year. “‘The Failures Before the Fires’ was a two-year investigation by the BGA and the Chicago Tribune. We exposed how fires killed 61 people over 6 years in buildings where the city failed to address known safety problems,” Greising said. “In a follow-up investigation, we and the Tribune examined successful fire safety measures in large cities across the United States. This was the first trial of a new kind of BGA journalism focused on finding solutions and it contributed to our nomination as a finalist in the Online News Awards, the most prestigious recognition in digital journalism.”
Greising also previewed the BGA’s new podcast “The Madigan Rule” playing a 50-second trailer. The limited-series podcast is hosted by Justin Kaufmann, a veteran Chicago radio producer and host who has worked at WBEZ and WGN and has long reported on issues affecting state government. In the podcast Kaufmann speaks with people about Madigan’s rise to power and interviews those who witnessed the speaker exert his authority for more than three decades: governors, lawmakers and journalists who described how many in state politics feared Madigan and revered him, and had no choice but to reckon with his rules.
BGA presented the Daniel L. Goodwin Watchdog Award posthumously to long-time adviser and supporter, James W. Mabie, in a tribute to his legacy of ardent support for investigative journalism in Chicago and throughout Illinois. In 2020, Mabie made a leadership gift to help launch the BGA’s Fund for Illinois Investigative Reporting, which so far has helped establish two new reporting positions in the BGA’s newsroom. Daniel L. Goodwin, Chairman and CEO of The Inland Group, LLC, presented the award to David Mabie, Jim Mabie’s son.
Greising also sat down with David M. Rubenstein, philanthropist, business leader, author and television host to discuss the role of character in public life and Rubenstein’s “patriotic philanthropy.” “The reason I put all these documents I have on display, and none are in my basement, is because I want people to see them and hopefully they’ll be a better experience for people and will learn a little bit more about our democracy.”
Better Government Association’s Character Matters 2021 Annual Luncheon
Generous Supporters
Co-chairs
John A. Canning, Jr.
Daniel L. Goodwin
Platinum Sponsors
Anonymous
Edwardson Family Foundation
Jim and Karen Frank
Peter and Alicia Pond
Gold Sponsors
Susan Anderson and Bob Arthur
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Gary Elden and Phyllis Mandler
ITW
Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation
Carroll Joynes and Abby O’Neil
David and Amanda Mabie/Chicago Capital
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Steve Miller
Jim Perry
Kathleen and Jim Skinner
Heather Steans and Leo Smith
Silver Sponsors
Alight Inc.
Aon
Chicago Pacific Founders
Robert W. Crawford, Jr., Co-Founder of the Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Lab
The Crown Family
The Duchossois Group
Michael L. Keiser
Andrew J. McKenna
Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols
Mark Rust
Svoboda Capital Partners LLC
Maryann and Ron Waryjas
Corinne and Paul Wood
Sponsors
Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP
BMO Harris Bank
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Charles River Associates
Crain’s Chicago Business
Edelman
Peter and Paula Fasseas
Jim Gordon, The Edgewater Funds
Italian Village Restaurant
Lavin Family Foundation
Robert and Linda Levin
John and Judy McCarter
Medill School, Northwestern University
Mesirow
Northern Trust
Mark and Marcie Peterson
Chris Rooney
John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe
#SistersInLaw and iGenPolitics Podcasts
ABOUT THE BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
The Better Government Association is a non-partisan, nonprofit news organization and civic advocate working for transparency, equity and accountability in government in Chicago and across Illinois. The BGA uncovers waste and wrongdoing in government, holds elected officials accountable, litigates for open records and meetings, advocates for good government and empowers residents to engage and act. To learn more about the Better Government Association, please visit https://www.bettergov.org
BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION MEDIA CONTACT
Nina Fuentes nfuentes@bettergov.org
