In this open letter published in the Chicago Sun-Times, BGA President & CEO Andy Shaw encourages Gov. Pat Quinn to protect the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, which is under attack in Springfield.
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Posted inNews, Results & Reforms
CREDIT CARD PRIVILEGES REVOKED
JULY 12, 2011 — A BGA/FOX Chicago News investigation into credit abuses at governmental agencies prompts the Regional Transportation Authority to cut back on the number of charge cards assigned to its administrators—one of whom used a taxpayer-funded card to pay for her daughter’s high school tuition.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Fair Cards? RTA Reduces Credit Card Spending by Execs
Prompted by revelations of excessive spending by CHA executives, another governmental agency, the Regional Transportation Authority, has revoked credit card privileges.
Posted inNews, Results & Reforms
TERMINATION
JULY 1, 2011 — A BGA/CBS2 investigation finds that a city worker at Midway Airport had allowed his friends to bypass security because they were running late for a flight. The BGA and CBS2 also find that city officials, rather than fire the worker when this came to light, put him on paid leave, then gave him another job with more pay. Only after the story aired did supervisors
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
City Is Slow To Discipline Worker Who Breached Airport Security
A city employee helped friends get through security at Midway Airport, but only got a slap on the wrist—and, arguably, a paid vacation—for his misconduct. BGA and CBS 2 investigate.
Posted inNews
BGA Highlights: April, May, June 2011
Landmark investigations, new good-government tools, and most importantly: results.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
More Trouble for Country Club Hills Mayor?
Just days after a BGA/WGN-TV investigation of Country Club Hills Mayor Dwight Welch’s spending habits, the city council canceled municipal credit cards. And, it turns out, the state’s attorney is taking an interest in what’s going on there.
Posted inNews, Results & Reforms
CREDIT CARDS CANCELLED
JUNE 27, 2011 — After a BGA/WGN-TV investigation into Country Club Hills Mayor Dwight Welch’s spending, the city council eliminates all but one city credit card.
Posted inInvestigations, News
Suburban Mayor Living ‘Country Club’ Lifestyle, Courtesy Taxpayers
Times may be rough, but in Country Club Hills, the mayor is rolling in the green, courtesy of taxpayers and donors to his campaign fund, according to a review by the Better Government Association.
Posted inInvestigations, News
Country Club Hills’ Big-Spending, Unabashed Mayor
This BGA/WGN-TV investigation shines a light on Mayor Dwight W. Welch and his hefty expense account. He says he spends (taxpayer) money to make money for the south suburban town — is he missing the basic principles of good government?
