As the state grapples with budget gridlock, the Rauner Administration is pushing a change to a program for low income seniors initially billed as a cheaper and better alternative to nursing home care. Thousands could see in-home services scaled back, as costs soar with an aging population.
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Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Why The Online Threat To Big Retail Means Bigger Holes In Illinois Budgets
The take from sales and property taxes, key revenue sources for local governments, often takes a hit as brick and mortar stores reel under Internet competition. That puts a strain on paying for municipal services.
Posted inNews
Event Recap | The Future Of News: Covering The Capitol
The Costly Toll of Dead-end Drug Arrests, published in December, examined how thousands of Chicagoans — mostly Black men — are arrested on drug possession charges judges, police and prosecutors all know will never stick.
Posted inNews
BGA Names Watchdog Award In Honor Of Inland’s Daniel Goodwin
Goodwin was honored with the award in 2016 for his lifetime contributions to business, economic development, philanthropy and civic engagement.
Posted inNews
Event Recap | 2017 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards For Investigative Reporting
The Costly Toll of Dead-end Drug Arrests, published in December, examined how thousands of Chicagoans — mostly Black men — are arrested on drug possession charges judges, police and prosecutors all know will never stick.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Why The Chicago Area’s Powerhouse Economy Can’t Jumpstart Stalled Illinois
With the Chicago region robust and Downstate in a prolonged economic funk, fixing Illinois may be harder than the political talking points suggest.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Tally Of Ethics Probes Tied To Emanuel Email Release Hits 14
Communications released by settlement of a BGA transparency lawsuit against the Emanuel Administration shine an ever brighter light on the special access afforded to favor-seekers with influence and power.
Posted inNews
BGA Sues Emanuel’s Staff Over School Lead Disclosures
The mayor’s office and public health officials refused to fully comply with an open-records request, newly filed suit claims. Officials withheld information related to lead contamination in Chicago schools.
Posted inCriminal Justice & Public Safety
Park District Police: Costly And Questionably Redundant
A handful of Illinois park districts operate taxpayer-funded police forces separate from the regular police departments that already patrol the same communities. With badges sometimes handed to the well-connected, the practice raises questions of redundancy, liability, nepotism and expense.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Rauner Tax Freeze: Balm Or Timebomb For Local Taxpayers?
The governor seeks a permanent property tax freeze as a price for a budget deal, but experts say such a plan goes beyond anti-tax moves in other states and could handcuff operations of schools and local governments.
