A Cook County government official helps oversee the work of a company that employs his relatives—does that sound right to you? The BGA and CBS 2’s Pam Zekman don’t think so.
Patrick Rehkamp
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Cook County Doc Gets Big Payout for No Work
County hospital pays doctor $80,000 while he’s on unpaid leave—now officials want to know whether this was an isolated mistake, or something worse.
Posted inInvestigations, News
To Protect, Serve and Solicit for Local Politicians in Elmwood Park
According to documents obtained by the BGA and FOX Chicago News, 32 of 32 Elmwood Park auxiliary police officers appeared to have done political work for Mayor Peter Silvestri or other politicians.
Posted inInvestigations, News
No Joke: Cicero Taxpayers Shell Out $1,000 for Rubber Chickens
At a Sunday parade in Cicero, legendary Chicago TV horror host Svengoolie chucked 250 rubber chickens at the crowd, but the flying, pliable, taxpayer-purchased poultry left some people perturbed.
Posted inInvestigations, News
Preckwinkle Bodyguards Get Salary Boosts
Pay hikes for the Cook County board president’s security detail come as other county employees face job, salary cuts.
Posted inInvestigations, News
Rutherford, Topinka Give Raises to Top Employees
While the state wrestles with a gaping budget hole, Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford and Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka hand out $281,000 in salary hikes, which taxpayers will have to shoulder.
Posted inInvestigations, News
A Different Kind of Housing Crisis in Maywood
A public agency that gives rent subsidies to needy residents needs to get its act together, or face a federal takeover.
Posted inInvestigations, News
CPS Principal Spends Thousands of Taxpayer Dollars on Travel
Kenneth M. Staral, principal of The Ogden International School of Chicago, has racked up almost $17,000 in credit card charges for recent international travel, and luxury dining across the US.
Posted inInvestigations, News
Stickney Mayor Has Questionable Arrangement
Since Daniel O’Reilly became mayor of Stickney in early 2009, the village has spent $1,140 on flowers purchased from the flower shop he owns in neighboring Berwyn.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Jesse White Gives Raises While Other Illinois Agencies Freeze Pay
At a time when pay raises are a distant memory and unpaid leave a reality for many area government workers, Jesse White has given pay hikes to his entire executive staff.
