There aren’t enough officers in high-crime neighborhoods, but the Chicago Police Department has a full-time cop at the Merchandise Mart, a low-crime office building long run by the Kennedy family. How busy is the officer? In three years, he’s made no arrests.
News
Posted inNews
Cullerton Support Signals End of Legislative Scholarships
A bill to eliminate the controversial legislative scholarship program is advancing in the Illinois Senate. A measure to end the program is now supported by a key General Assembly leader–Senate President John Cullerton–who changed his position from supporting reforms aimed at policing the program to advocating its elimination.
Posted inNews, Results & Reforms
PUBLIC HOUSING OFFICIAL STEPS DOWN
Following inquiries from the BGA about his private companies doing business with the government agency that he was leading, Cook County Housing Authority board Chairman Elzie Higginbottom resigns and, to avoid a possible conflict of interest, the agency changes the way Section 8 vouchers are handled for buildings run by his firms.
Posted inNews
BGA To Illinois Senate: Don’t Waver On Ending State Tuition Waivers
The Better Government Association is again strongly urging Illinois Senate President John Cullerton to call for a full Senate vote on a bill to end the troubled and clout-riddled legislative scholarship program.
Posted inInvestigations, News
Really Bad Judgment
DuPage County Board members rip sheriff for letting teenage son play cop, go on ride-alongs with on-duty deputies.
Posted inNews, Results & Reforms
STATE’S ATTORNEY COP RESIGNS, OFFICIALS VOW REFORM
An investigator for Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez resigned after being caught on camera by FOX Chicago and the BGA spending work hours at a Bridgeport cigar shop. Alvarez’s aides promised better oversight in the 130-person investigative bureau.
Posted inInvestigations, News, Newsroom
City Bureaucracy Turns Spigot, Drip Returns
After getting fired for allowing friends to bypass Midway Airport’s security checkpoint so they wouldn’t miss a flight, a city worker gets his taxpayer-funded job back, and now is making $84,000 a year with Chicago’s water department.
Posted inInvestigations, News
Cigar Time On County Dime
Investigator for Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez whiles away his work hours in a Bridgeport cigar shop that has a curious clientele.
Posted inInvestigations, News
Sheriff’s Teenage Son Allowed to Play Cop
While still in high school, DuPage County Sheriff John Zaruba’s son was allowed to dress and act like a deputy – including chasing a suspect.
Posted inNews, Results & Reforms
DUPAGE COUNTY BOARD MEMBERS CALL ON SHERIFF JOHN ZARUBA TO SUSPEND RIDE-ALONGS
After the BGA and CBS2 found the teenage son of DuPage County Sheriff John Zaruba playing cop, including participating in attempted arrests and chases, County Board members demand a halt to police “ride-alongs” pending a review of the program.
