Results & Reforms

Prompted by questions from the BGA, the Illinois Gaming Board launches an investigation into Rivers Casino over its relationship with a Chicago company whose president has had ties to reputed mob figures.

BGA beats back a bad FOIA bill; other reform efforts slowly advance.

Following a BGA inquiry, it was announced that a new member of the Illinois Gaming Board will not vote on matters involving Rivers Casino for six months to avoid a conflict of interest because his nonprofit has taken donations from the casino.

Following BGA investigations of financial irregularities, the Lyons Township School Treasurer is accused of embezzling $1.5 million, pleads guilty to theft and is sentenced to nine years in prison.

Suburban newspaper co-owned by influential legislator promises better “internal controls” in the wake of BGA findings on possible plagiarism.

After the BGA presses Rauner administration for answers on massive overtime at the Illinois Department of Corrections, the governor proposes hiring 450 new prison guards.

The same day a BGA story appears in the Chicago Sun-Times highlighting proposed police and fire layoffs in Matteson, village officials back off, saying such public-safety cuts are no longer being considered.

The Illinois Department of Transportation launches a review of all of its Chicago-area vehicles after a BGA investigation finds state-owned pickup trucks with unauthorized tinted windows, one of which was dark enough to be illegal. IDOT also orders such tinting to be removed.

The Village of Lynwood fires a cop who allegedly punched a handcuffed prisoner. The south suburb knew for months about the incident but disciplinary proceedings weren’t initiated until after repeated inquiries from the BGA and CBS2.

After the BGA reports that Harvey Mayor Eric Kellogg has repeatedly broken campaign finance laws, for which he was fined $72,750, the Illinois State Board of Elections forces Kellogg to pay up or stay off ballot.