Better Government Association
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Chicago TIF fund controversy described as swept under rug
The Chicago City Council has gone from playing a shell game to "keep away," the Better Government Association (BGA) suggested recently.
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Emanuel budget proposal digs a little deeper into Chicagoland wallets
The ciity budget presented by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel does not include any major tax increases, it does call for three new or increased taxes and does not adequately address pension costs, according to the Better Government Association’s Jose Sanchez.
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Some fiction, some fact found in Emanuel's boast of Chicago recovery
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel used some fuzzy math to boast about the speed of Chicago’s growth during his 2018 budget address, the Better Government Association (BGA) said recently.
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Chicago State severance pay highlighted as example of Illinois money problems
Despite being billions of dollars in debt, Illinois continues to pay out massive severance packages for public executives. the Better Government Association contends.
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Metra CEO's severance payout described as typical of state overspending
The 2013 payout to former Metra CEO Alex Clifford is just one example of outrageous severance packages still being handed out to public employees in Illinois, the Better Government Association (BGA) contends.
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Illinois warned that Amazon headquarters might not be such a gift
Illinois might be putting problems into its shopping basket by courting Amazon's second headquarters, according to an investigative reporter for the Better Government Association.
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Group offers Metra riders details on proposed rate hike
Chicago commuters using the Metra commuter rail system may face a fourth rate hike in as many years, according to a watchdog group.
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Metropolitan Water Reclamation District inspector encouraged if independence is provided
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) is considering forming an inspector general’s office, a move that Better Government Association (BGA) said it welcomes as long as the district does not employ half measures.
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Chicago Teachers Union's 'voucher' label on new scholarships called erroneous
Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Karen Lewis has called the tax credit scholarship program created by recent education funding reform a “voucher program,” a characterization that lacks nuance, according to the Better Government Association (BGA).
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CPS special ed care under scrutiny following autistic student's death
The Better Government Association and Chicago Sun-Times are questioning the adequacy of Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) special education care following an in-depth investigation into the death of Rosario Gomez, a teenager with autism who drowned during gym class last winter.
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Watchdog group sees positive signs of change among Illinois leaders
Several recent political reversals are the manifestation of former Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley’s adage, “Good government is good politics and good politics is good government,” according to Andy Shaw, president and CEO of the Better Government Association (BGA).
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Chicago railway blues described as heading for dead end without change
Chicago could end up being tossed off the beaten track if it doesn't get its tangled railways issues straightened out, the Better Government Association (BGA) warned recently.
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Chicago taxpayers urged to get their say in union contract dealings
The City of Chicago is facing two years of contract negotiations on each of the 44 collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) it holds with labor unions, and the Better Government Association (BGA) is encouraging the city’s taxpayers to make their views heard in the process.
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Emanuel keeps up spin as Chicago goes down drain, group suggests
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has a simple way of getting rid of Chicago's poor financial management, the Better Government Agency (BGA) says: Don't mention them.
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Watchdog group: Chicago's TIF 'shell game' proves reform, probe required
A fiasco involving the Chicago officials and the funneling of tax increment finance (TIF) district money away from where it was intended is proof that reforms and even an investigation are needed, the president of the Better Government Association (BGA) contends.
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Chicago accused of blowing millions on poorly renovated homes for seniors
Low-income seniors who rely on homes provided by the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) have been the victims of poorly managed renovation projects, according to a recent investigation by the Better Government Association (BGA).
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Chicago soda tax called one of most draining on consumers
You'll need to dig deep to pop for a soda in the Chicago area, according to the Better Government Association (BGA), which says the new Cook County beverage tax has made it one of the most expensive places in the United States for soft drinks.
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Chicago officials deny TIF diversion allegations
Chicago officials connected with the development of the new hotel at McCormick Place and the renovations at Navy Pier recently denied accusations by the Better Government Association (BGA) and Crain’s Chicago Business that tax increment financing (TIF) funds for the hotel were improperly used for the pier.
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Chicago accused of diverting millions in TIF money to Navy Pier
The Better Government Association (BGA) and Crain’s Chicago Business have accused Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration and the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority (MPEA) of using creative bookkeeping to direct $55 million in tax-increment financing (TIF) funds to the Navy Pier for renovations.
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Journalists say cuts keep Capitol coverage thin, brainstorming necessary
A group of journalists got together at a Springfield forum recently to discuss the future of ... a group of journalists.