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. My name…
BGA State Policy Agenda 2023/24
Our Policy Agenda: The Better Government Association policy team researches, drafts, supports and advocates for legislation that improves transparency, efficiency, equity and accountability in government in Illinois. We actively seek to work with other policy advocates, the public and government officials to advance these important goals, for the benefit of the people of Illinois. Outlined below…
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Transparency Watchdog
BGA OpenGov is the Illinois affiliate of the National Freedom of Information Coalition.
Without access to information about the workings of government, it would be impossible for citizens to determine whether taxpayer dollars were being spent responsibly and equitably, or to hold public servants accountable for their actions.
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Updates From BGA
Ink + Impact: Ethics in Government
Join the BGA Second Century Council for a round table breakfast discussion regarding the City Council’s Ethics Committee, with 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin.
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…
Centennial Celebration & Annual Luncheon
Please join the Better Government Association at our Centennial Celebration & Annual Luncheon honoring Michael J. Sacks and featuring a special conversation with BGA President David Greising, best-selling author…
Policy Statements
Burke Trial Verdict Demands a Culture Shift at City Council
Former Chicago alderperson Ed Burke was today found guilty by a jury on 13 out of 14 charges, including racketeering, conspiracy, extortion and bribery. Co-defendant Charles Cui was also found guilty of bribery, while Burke’s longtime aide Peter Andrews was acquitted. In response to the verdict, Better Government Association President David Greising stated, “The jury’s…
Council Suspends New Gallery Access Restrictions After BGA Objections
A notice on the Chicago city clerk’s website Tuesday announced the postponement until further notice of proposed rules restricting public access to City Council’s gallery seating. The postponement followed warnings from the Better Government Association that the change likely was illegal. The restrictions would have required members of the public to pre-register in order to…
New Rules Inhibit Public Attendance at Council Meetings
After weeks of confusion, written rules for public attendance at Chicago City Council meetings have been published on the City Clerk’s website. The Better Government Association believes the new rules violate the spirit and likely the letter of the state’s Open Meetings Act and calls on city government to reverse these changes. The new rules…
New: Get Involved
Get Involved
Tools to help you locate your elected lawmakers based on where you live and follow legislation we’re tracking.
See What the Illinois State Legislature Is Doing
Better Government Association believes in transparency and accountability, which is why we have partnered with FastDemocracy to bring you some of the most powerful tools to keep tabs on your lawmakers in Springfield and their legislative actions.
Perspectives
Zarou: The New Term Limit for Chicago’s Inspector General Hopefully Will Start a Trend
Advocating for term limits for an office you hold is not the norm. Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg deserves praise.
100 Days In, BGA Policy Reviews Mayor Johnson’s Government Ethics Campaign Promises
100 days ago this Wednesday, Brandon Johnson was sworn in as mayor of Chicago. During the campaign, Johnson, along with all other candidates except incumbent mayor Lori Lightfoot,…
Sophia Van Pelt: Illinois Juvenile Detention Centers Can Hide Mistreatment Behind FOIA Exclusion
It’s hardly news that the juvenile justice system in Illinois is failing the young people it is supposed to serve. In the Cook County detention center alone, advocates and…
Research & Analysis
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 Act required the collection of county-level data to…
Hidden Costs: Proposed FOP Contract Contains Millions in Raises, New Protections from Discipline
Salaries and bonuses for Chicago police officers represented by the Fraternal Order of Police in 2024 could exceed the budgeted position costs approved by City Council by $76.8 million or more, according to a BGA Policy analysis of costs arising from the proposed new contract, including $27.5 in one-time bonuses paid to every officer in…
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Review, explore and compare compensation for public employees throughout Illinois.
ILLINOIS PUBLIC PENSIONS DATABASE
Follow the money paid to retired public-sector employees throughout Illinois.
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