Presidential candidate saved a whopping $800,000 in property taxes on his unoccupied penthouse because of a unique Cook County policy.
Sandy Bergo
A Chicago native, Sandy Bergo began her professional career as a reporter for the Chicago Reporter, worked as a writer and producer for WBBM Radio, and for 20 years, was a producer with Pam Zekman’s investigative team at WBBM-TV.
She has shared in local and national awards for her work. Her stories have exposed bad doctors, campaign finance irregularities and government waste of taxpayers’ money.
In 2001, Sandy moved with her husband, Chuck Neubauer, to Washington D.C., where she worked as a freelance reporter, television producer and a staff writer for the Center for Public Integrity.
For 10 years until 2019, she was the executive director of The Fund for Investigative Journalism.
During that time, she collaborated with her husband on investigative stories for the Better Government Association.
Sandy and Chuck have one son and two grandsons.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Rivers Casino’s Jackpot: $1 Million Property Tax Break
Located on prime real estate and raking in huge profits, owners of Des Plaines casino argue their property isn’t so valuable, and the Board of Review agrees – leading to sizable tax cut.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Cited For Safety, Company Still Wins Juicy City Contracts
A sewer and excavation firm is accused of serious workplace safety violations, and still garners tens of millions of dollars in work from Emanuel administration.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Illinois Pols Grease Legislation For Pipeline Welders
Just-passed measure removes restrictions on the number of hours pipeline welders can work, travel. But critics worry about the safety of U.S. roads.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Railroads And Deep Ties To Illinois Pols
Railroad PACs donate big money to campaign funds of members of Congress from Illinois, who have a powerful voice in regulating the industry.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Ex-Congressmen Work As “Consultants” For Special Interests
Designation means they don’t have to register as lobbyists, publicly disclose clients or adhere to revolving-door limits.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Park Grill’s Lease Bites Taxpayers Again – At Midway
Court ruling that allows Millennium Park eatery to avoid property taxes is used to justify huge tax breaks for a clout-heavy concessionaire at Midway Airport.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Congressman’s Decisions Benefit Dad’s Lobby Clients
Lobbyist Bill Lipinski earns millions from clients who also are getting aid from his son, U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Media Exec Bailed Out Congressman’s Church
Joseph Stroud’s company paid the electric bill for the Chicago church run by U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush – who has gone to bat for Stroud in Congress.
Posted inGovernment Finance & Accountability
Campaign Donor Covered Salary For Congressman’s Niece
Politically connected airport contractor paid salary of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush’s niece, allegedly for her job at the South Side church run by the congressman.
