Better Government Association
BGA Launches Petition To End Legislative Scholarships
The Better Government Association has set up an online petition to eliminate the state’s legislative scholarship program, with state Rep. Robert Rita (D-Blue Island) now accused of granting a scholarship to a political ally’s daughter.
Lobbyists Drawing Lucrative Pensions Partially Paid By Taxpayers
They aren’t government employees. They are in effect lobbyists, but their salaries and pensions are funded in part by your tax dollars.
BGA Calls For Abolition Of Legislative Scholarship Program
The Better Government Association doesn’t trust lawmakers to reform the state’s legislative scholarship program, so it is calling for the abolition of the program.
BGA: Transparency ‘Training Course’ Insufficient For Illinois Officials
A new law taking effect on Jan. 1 will mandate Illinois public officials learn more about transparency, but a good government group says it’s not enough.
BGA: Expect A Lengthy Sentence For Blagojevich
The Better Government Association thinks federal prosecutors will win the hefty sentence they are seeking for deposed Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
BGA: Some State Board Members Paid More Than $300 An Hour
How would you like to make $40,000 a year for working just over 10 hours a month? Too good to be true? Not if you’ve got “the right stuff” for a state board like the Illinois Human Rights Commission.
State Senate Committee To Discuss High Costs Of Wrongful Convictions
An Illinois Senate committee holds hearings Monday on the high cost of wrongful convictions.
Emanuel Has Plan To Recover Unpaid Water Bills From Suburbs
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has a plan to recover almost $15 million owed by some suburbs for unpaid water services provided by the City of Chicago.
City Taking Steps To Collect Millions In Unpaid Water Bills
Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Thursday that he is actively going after $15 million in unpaid water bills owed to the city by four Chicago suburbs. He also promised to take another look at free water that the city supplies to various non-profit groups.
BGA: City Owed Millions In Unpaid Water Bills From Suburbs
The city of Chicago is owed $47 million in unpaid water bills. It’s a big number for a cash-strapped city. A Better Government Association study found that those who owe much of that money might not be who you expect.
BGA Investigation: Community College Pensions ‘Run Amok’
They’ve been called the poster children for a system run amok. The Better Government Association has found retired community college teachers bringing in six-figure retirement checks – earning far more state money in retirement than they did on the job.
Emanuel Seeking To Make City Government More Open, Accessible
Mayor Rahm Emanuel sought to bolster his credentials as a reformer Wednesday, in an online interview with the head of a leading good government group.
Countryside Mayor’s Wife Pushed Her Company On City Employee, Memo Says
Cathy Krzeminski reportedly urged a police employee to send city workers to her occupational health firm, a city memo says. CBS 2′s Kristyn Hartman reports.
CPS Moving To Fire Principal Over Fraud In Free Lunch Program
The Chicago Public Schools are moving to fire a principal and discipline 15 other employees, following disclosures by the CBS 2 Investigators and Better Government Association of apparent fraud in the free lunch program.
City Is Slow To Discipline Worker Who Breached Airport Security
City employee Arthur Rodriguez helped friends get through security at Midway Airport, but got a slap on the wrist — and, arguably, a paid vacation — for his misconduct. The 2 Investigators report.
Gov. Quinn Still ‘Undecided’ On Gambling Expansion Bill
Governor Quinn continues to insist he hasn’t decided yet if he’ll sign that major Illinois gambling expansion bill.
Report: Wrongful Convictions Cost Taxpayers A Fortune
Wrongful convictions not only cost prisoners their lives, but also cost taxpayers a fortune, according to a new investigation.
Shaw: Transition Plan Will Keep Emanuel Accountable
The transition plan that Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel unveiled this week is a blueprint for how he intends to change things at City Hall. Andy Shaw of the Better Government Association weighs in.
BGA: Corruption Tarnishes Mayor Daley’s Reign As Great American Mayor
Mayor Richard Daley is presiding over his final City council meeting. His legacy was the topic of this week’s Watchdog Wednesday segment on Newsradio 780 with Andy Shaw of the Better Government Association.
Like Something Out Of A Movie: Alleged Shakedown On Metra Film Location
Independent investigators are looking into allegations that a film location manager was hit up for a $2,000 bribe when the thriller “Source Code” filmed in Chicago last year. A Metra employee purportedly demanded the kickback.
Most Popular News
- Board Votes To Close 49 Chicago Elementary SchoolsThe Chicago Board of Education on Wednesday voted to close 49 elementary schools, in what is believed to be the biggest single mass shutdown of schools in U.S. history.4712
- Lockdown Lifted At Morton West High SchoolMorton West High School has been placed on lock down for precautionary reasons after an unknown individual entered the building.558
- Former Glenbard East Student Accused Of Planning Columbine-Type AttackA 19-year-old former student at Glenbard East High School in Lombard was in custody on Wednesday, accused of planning a "Columbine-style" attack on the school, with a list of people he wanted to target.561
- Woman Robs North Side BankA woman robbed a Lakeview bank Tuesday afternoon on the city’s North Side.262
- Four Schools To Be Spared From Closing; Another To Be DelayedHours before a final vote by the Chicago Board of Education, Chicago Public Schools officials have agreed to back off of plans to close four of the 53 elementary schools targeted for closing at the end of the school year, Board Vice President Jesse Ruiz confirmed Wednesday morning.415
- Boy, 17, Fatally Shot In Back Of The YardsA teenage boy was fatally shot in the South Side Back of the Yards neighborhood Tuesday evening, police said.147
Contests & Promotions
- AVEENO® MEN’S “Building a Healthier Foundation” Sweepstakes May 21, 2013AVEENO® Men’s™ knows your family is your foundation. And to take good care of them, you need to take good care of yourself. Win a family day at the ballpark from AVEENO® Men’s™.
- Join Hankook Tire To Reel In The Next Big Catch May 20, 2013Join Hankook tire to reel in the next great catch! Click here to go to www.TirePrize.com and enter for your chance to win the ultimate fishing excursion in Puerto Rico!
- Meet Jim Rome On Set In Los Angeles May 20, 2013AutoZone and the Jim Rome Show are giving one winner and a guest a trip to meet Jim Rome in Los Angeles on the set of his Showtime television show! Enter for your chance to win!
- Marquette County Convention & Visitors Bureau Post Game Show Giveaway May 10, 2013Listen to The Score’s Baseball Post Game Show for your chance to win a $100 lodging gift certificate from the Marquette County Convention & Visitors Bureau!
Twitter Updates
- RT @93XRT: 20 Bands to See Before You Die (Plus FREE @RollingStones Tickets) cbsloc.al/13LSBqa 3 hours ago
- RT @cbslocal: .@realDonaldTrump says Hillary Clinton will be 'very hard to beat' in 2016: cbsloc.al/10MpTAm 4 hours ago
