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Better Government Association
Potential Impacts of Proposed Public Funding Option on Chicago Ward Elections
Legislation introduced in June by City Council ethics chair Matt Martin (47th Ward) would add a public funding option for aldermanic candidates starting in the 2027 election cycle. To evaluate the potential impacts of the proposal on Chicago’s campaign finance landscape, BGA Policy applied the program’s funding bonuses and limitations...
Small Steps on Ethics Reform from a Reluctant Mayor
Today’s City Council meeting saw the passage of two sets of ethics reforms: an ordinance giving the Board of Ethics enforcement authority for a longstanding executive order banning lobbyist contributions to the mayor’s campaign committee and a package of minor language changes and technical clarifications from the city’s Inspector General.
BGA Annual Luncheon & Celebration
The Annual Luncheon & Celebration will honor the BGA’s storied 100+ year record of achievement in advancing its mission of working toward a more transparent, equitable, and accountable government for the benefit of all the people of Illinois. We are thrilled to honor civic leader D. Carroll Joynes with...
Light Burke Sentence Makes Clear the Need for Reform
Former Chicago alderperson Ed Burke today was sentenced to two years in prison and fined $2 million for his conviction on 13 charges, including racketeering, conspiracy, extortion and bribery. The sentence is a relatively light one, sparing Burke the lengthy prison stay of up to 12 ½ years requested by federal prosecutors.
Proposed Public Funding for Chicago Elections Could Give $200,000 Boost to Small-Donor Campaigns
A proposal from City Council ethics chair Ald. Matt Martin (47th) would add a public funding option to Chicago’s campaign finance landscape, bringing the city more in line with its largest peers. New York City and Los Angeles have both had public funding programs in place for decades, and...
Deferred Ethics Bill Continues Alarming Pattern
Ordinance proposed by the Chicago Board of Ethics and introduced by City Council ethics committee chair Ald. Matt Martin (47th Ward) got the slowroll treatment today, with Alds. Chris Taliaferro (29th Ward) and Nicholas Sposato (38th Ward) using a parliamentary procedure to defer the legislation until the next council meeting.
BGA Calls for Action on Stalled Ethics Ordinance
A package of changes to Chicago’s government ethics ordinance has stalled in City Council, despite the backing of the city’s Board of Ethics and the chair of the council’s ethics committee. The Better Government Association calls on Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City Council to advance the package, which includes:
One Year In, Johnson’s City Council Spends One-Third of its Time on Honorary Resolutions
A year of City Council meetings since the 2023 elections hasn’t seen much change in the body’s time management: Roughly one-third of regular meeting time, from the end of public comment to adjournment, is still spent on honorary, non-binding resolutions, much as it was under the Lightfoot administration.
Prospect Development and Systems Manager
Founded in 1923, the Better Government Association is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization and civic advocate working for transparency, equity and accountability in government across Chicago and Illinois. With philanthropic contributions accounting for nearly 100% of the budget, partners and supporters ensure the full scope of the BGA’s multifaceted strategy,...
Building Bridges: Community Collaboration and Journalism Panel
This panel brings together industry leaders to share insights and perspectives on fostering community collaboration, emphasizing the importance of building bridges to strengthen connections within the media landscape. Meet the Panelists. Tonika Lewis Johnson is a visionary photographer and social justice artist deeply rooted in Chicago’s South Side Englewood. She...
Testimony by BGA President David Greising before the House Personnel & Pensions Committee
Chair Kifowit, Vice Chair Rohr, Rep. Reick, members of the committee: Thank you for the invitation to speak today about one of the most important issues facing our state: How to reinvest in our woefully underfunded state pension systems and set the course for prosperity and fiscal stability for years to come.
Ink + Impact: A Celebration of Journalism
Step into the heart of literary excellence at the American Writers Museum, and engage in captivating conversations, share experiences, and forge connections with like-minded individuals who share a vested belief in the power of journalism and good government. Full bar and appetizers will be served. Featured Guests:. Ruby Bailey, Illinois...
Ink + Impact: A Celebration of Journalism
Step into the heart of literary excellence at the American Writers Museum, and engage in captivating conversations, share experiences, and forge connections with like-minded individuals who share a vested belief in the power of journalism and good government. Full bar and appetizers will be served. Featured Guests:. Ruby Bailey, Illinois...
BGA, Civic Federation, League of Women Voters Pen Letter to Mayor Johnson and City Council Regarding Transparency Concerns
The Better Government Association, Civic Federation and League of Women Voters of Chicago sent the following to Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City Council Committee on Rules:. Dear Mayor Johnson, Rules Committee Chair Michelle Harris and Members of the Rules Committee:. The Better Government Association, Civic Federation and the League...
The 2024 Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting are Now Open for Submissions
Submissions are now open for the 20th Anniversary Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting. News organizations across Chicago and Illinois are encouraged to apply. The deadline to submit your entry is Monday, March 11th at 11:59 PM CDT. The annual Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting highlight the...
Campaign Cash from City Contractors Target of New Ethics Ordinance
New limitations on campaign contributions from the owners and executives of city contractors could potentially keep hundreds of donations and hundreds of thousands of dollars out of Chicago’s next election cycle, a BGA Policy analysis of 2022 and 2023 Illinois Board Elections contribution records has found. A proposed amendment...
Prospect Development and Systems Coordinator
Founded in 1923, the Better Government Association is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization and civic advocate working for transparency, equity and accountability in government across Chicago and Illinois. With philanthropic contributions accounting for nearly 100% of the budget, partners and supporters ensure the full scope of the BGA’s multifaceted strategy...
SAFE-T Act Data Collection Begins Behind Schedule
Illinois courts are quickly falling behind in key areas of data-collection required by the state’s new Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act – a lag that is making it increasingly difficult to measure the implementation and effectiveness of Illinois’ new pretrial release system. While the SAFE-T...
Senior Manager of Major and Individual Giving
Founded in 1923, the Better Government Association is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization and civic advocate working for transparency, equity and accountability in government across Chicago and Illinois. With philanthropic contributions accounting for nearly 100% of the budget, partners and supporters ensure the full scope of the BGA’s multifaceted strategy...
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