Journalism publication Editor & Publisher recognizes four BGA stories on topics ranging from nuclear power to police shootings.
Archives
“Boys, Boys!”: Repetition Doesn’t Improve Rauner, Pritzker Sniping
The leading candidates for Illinois’ top office squared off in four debates in recent weeks, repeating misleading attacks and defenses on policy issues and personal scandals.
Greising: Is Waste Management Abusing Chicago’s Recycling Program?
The mayor privatized the city’s blue-cart recycling program with the idea that for-profit companies would do a better job than city crews. But four years in, the result has been pretty much garbage in, garbage out.
Fact-Check: Rauner Ad Rewrites Property Tax History
The governor’s recent campaign ad ignores the fact that property tax levies are set at the local level in Illinois, meaning not even the powerful House speaker gets to pull the strings.
Fact-Check: Emanuel Exaggerates What Studies Say About CPS
Chicago’s mayor says Stanford University, the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago all declared Chicago Public Schools “the best” among its peers. The reports he cites highlight the district’s growing strengths but don’t go that far.
State Panel Rejects Rauner Plan to Ease Coal Plant Pollution Rules
The Illinois Pollution Control Board proposed an alternative to governor’s call for easing emission rules on Downstate coal power plants. The new plan loosens controls, but not as much as Rauner sought.
BGA to Celebrate 95th Anniversary with More Than $2 Million Fall Luncheon
The Better Government Association has raised a record-breaking $2 million and more for the nonprofit’s October 16th 95th Anniversary Luncheon. This marks a new milestone as the largest amount raised for a civic luncheon in Chicago history.
What the Gov: Is the Illinois Board of Elections Ready For Hackers in November?
The state diagnosed problems and got federal money to address them. But the election is just weeks away and the state is racing to scale cybersecurity programs statewide, especially for local bodies with the greatest need. It’s unclear whether they’ll get this done by Nov. 6.
Decision Nears On Rauner Plan For Easing Coal Plant Pollution Limits
The Rauner administration seeks to extend a lifeline to a $13 billion energy company, a plan that would lead to more pollution-related deaths and illnesses, opponents warn.
Fact-Check: Pritzker’s Flimsy Claim That Rauner Delayed School Funding
Pritzker’s ad suggests Illinois’ protracted budget stalemate held up state aid for K-12 schools and left local property tax payers to pick up the tab, all thanks to Gov. Rauner. But that argument doesn’t quite add up.

