Results & Reforms

The U.S. House Ethics Committee reveals it is continuing an investigation of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), focusing on BGA/Chicago Sun-Times disclosures that his campaign committee had received free office space for years.

After the BGA reports that a caterer plans to open a mini-casino in a Village of Dolton-owned retirement home for low-income seniors, the Illinois Gaming Board acknowledges it made a mistake and revokes the company’s video gaming license.

Several groups, including the Better Government Association, led a charge this week during the Illinois legislature’s fall veto session to defeat legislation that would have significantly weakened the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, the state’s public records law.

During fast-moving veto session, the BGA, Attorney General, press advocates and public interest groups pressured lawmakers to derail a faulty Freedom of Information bill.

Advocates City Council Committee support OIG oversight of Public Building agency

A ‘Smart Streamlining’ plan passes, a bad FOIA bill dies.

After a year-long investigation into questionable financial and management activities at the Tri-State Fire Protection District in the western suburbs, the veteran chief retires under pressure.

In the wake of questions from the BGA, NBC 5 and others about how a high-ranking state wildlife official was participating in pro fishing tournaments while on taxpayer-subsidized sick leave, the official resigns, though he says his bosses approved of the fishing arrangement and unfairly forced him out.

After questions are raised by the BGA, Maywood’s top political figure comes out against the expansion of the troubled park district police force, arguing that funding is needed for new programming over new cops.

Following a BGA/NBC 5 report that found some Chicago-area police departments allow officers to work with high levels of alcohol in their system, a state law enforcement agency recommended a standardized policy that would limit the acceptable blood-alcohol content level to 0.02 statewide for on-duty personnel.