BGA takes home seven Lisagor awards recognizing 2013 investigative news stories.
Archives
Family Conflict In General Assembly?
Legislator voted on grant programs that benefit his wife and the nonprofit where she works.
Where’s Lisa?
Illinois has some of the worst public corruption in the nation. Attorney General Lisa Madigan pledged to combat it, but critics say she’s fallen short. Her aides say state law restricts what she can do.
Better Government Association Sues Harvey Over Transparency
BGA accuses Mayor Eric Kellogg’s administration of willfully violating Open Meetings Act, Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
IDOT Secretary Talks About BGA’s Clout Hiring Investigation
For nearly a year after the Better Government Association exposed widespread issues with clout hiring at the Illinois Department of Transportation, agency secretary Ann Schneider stayed quiet. She refused to grant an interview to the BGA on the topic.
Pension Free-For-All
Public pension systems in the Chicago area have little or no oversight when it comes to trustees and staff members accepting gifts and other freebies from vendors or prospective vendors.
Not Sitting On Duffs, Controversial Family Resurfaces
The formal name of one Chicago-based labor group is a mouth full: Liquor & Wine Sales Representatives – Tire, Plastic, and Allied Workers Union Local 3.
Better Government Association Sues School District Over FOIA Flap
Schiller Park school district refuses to release “confidentiality agreements” under Illinois Freedom of Information Act, even though the law is clear and every other Cook County school district complied with request. So the BGA is headed to court.
Quinn Clout Hiring Faces Court Scrutiny
BGA investigation on clout hiring on Gov. Pat Quinn’s watch prompts motion for a court-appointed watchdog – similar to what exists in Chicago and Cook County governments.
The Stone Park Trifecta
A former mayor and two former police chiefs in Stone Park are drawing pensions from the village’s obscure little fund. What else do they have in common? All three are felons.

