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Annual Report Shining a Light on Government 2016 ANNUAL REPORT President & CEO Letter 02 Mission 03 Five Pillars of Action 04 By the Numbers 05 Top Ten Results and Investigations 06 Awards and Recognition 11 Policy Unit 13 Civic Engagement 16 Candid Conversations 18 Table of Contents Events 22 Financials 26 Staff and Interns 27 Boards and Trustees 28 Donors 29 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 1 Dear supporters, This year’s BGA Luncheon theme was “Elections Second: (here’s where you come in) the public Matter.” Little did we know that afternoon that less supporting candidates who want to serve the public— than two months later we would see an election not themselves. for the history books: a political neophyte and businessman shocked the pollsters and pundits by The BGA shines a light on government and holds upsetting the first female candidate to be nominated public officials accountable, but then it’s up to you— for the office. the voters—to decide what to do next. The BGA doesn’t have subpoena power, and we can’t tell you Though that race stole the headlines, important who to vote for. elections aren’t just at the top of the ticket. As 2016 comes to a close, we hope you resolve to take A growing BGA priority has been to fight the rampant action in 2017. Become educated about the issues and civic disengagement we see in our municipalities and players, perhaps by attending BGA events and reading across Illinois. our investigations. Register to vote and head to the polls on Election Day. And talk to your family, friends I believe the fight for better government has to be and neighbors about the better government you waged on two fronts: deserve and want to see in Illinois. First: watchdogs holding officials accountable and Democracy is a verb. Let’s get moving. advocating reforms. Too often the election system protects incumbents by making it unnecessarily difficult for people to register, Your watchdog, vote, get on the ballot and even think about running Andy Shaw for office. And the BGA is working with our good government coalition and state lawmakers to fix that. BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 2 MISSION: The BGA’s mission is to promote integrity, transparency and accountability in government by exposing waste, fraud and corruption, advocating effective public policy and informing and engaging the community. The BGA works within FIVE PILLARS OF ACTION — to investigate, litigate, educate, advocate and communicate — in an effort to bring better government to Illinois. We go beyond exposing problems to proposing solutions and advocating good government reforms. BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 3 BGA’S FIVE PILLARS OF ACTION INVESTIGATE The BGA’s Investigative Unit examines allegations of waste, fraud, corruption and mismanagement in city, county, suburban and state government. LITIGATE We are entitled to access certain public records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). When the BGA is denied access to public documents, we take legal action to force government agencies to comply with the law. EDUCATE The BGA’s Idea Forums, Candid Conversations and Watchdog Trainings are free events that inform, engage and empower the public. ADVOCATE The BGA’s Policy Unit advocates for a more open, accountable and efficient government through public policy reforms. COMMUNICATE The BGA communicates through hundreds of media stories and appearances with dozens of media partners around the state. BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION 2016 ANNUAL REPORT #4 BGA by the Numbers 575 investigations 154 results 35 awards 50 legal actions 16,000 people engaged BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 5 INVESTIGATIONS AND RESULTS Since 2009, the BGA has produced 575 investigations of waste, fraud, corruption and mismanagement of government in Illinois. In recent years, the BGA’s watchdog work has prompted more than 154 results and reforms that will save taxpayers an estimated $50 million. BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 6 Top Ten Investigations Criminal Justice, THE PUBLIC EYE Criminal Justice, Education, Criminal Justice, Taxes & Spending, Taxes & Spending Taxes & Spending Criminal Justice, Ethics & Ethics & Accountability, Taxes & Environment & Health, Ethics & Accountability, Taxes & Spending Spending Accountability, Environment & Health, Campaign Finance Trump’s ‘Sanctuary Chicago Police How CPS Failed Beyond the Rubble: Illinois Awash In City’ Plan Could Misconduct – Laquan McDonald Life After CHA Tax Breaks Cost Chicago $3.6 Rising Financial JANUARY 31, 2016 Upheaval OCTOBER 19, 2016 Billion Toll Teen gunned down by a MARCH-SEPTEMBER 2016 A BGA investigation DECEMBER 9, 2016 JANUARY 31, 2016 Chicago cop had rough In a series of stories finds Illinois has 257 Despite a clear lack of BGA analysis shows road through deeply with the Chicago Sun- separate categories of specific details from how much police flawed Chicago Public Times, we examine breaks that cost the state the president-elect, a misconduct costs Schools, child-welfare the human and $9.4 billion in fiscal BGA analysis shows taxpayers: $106 million systems. economic effects of 2015. That’s more than that Chicago could lose in 2014 and 2015 the Chicago Housing the gaping $8 billion billions in federal aid in alone, covering Authority’s “Plan for budget hole the state is 2017 if Donald Trump misconduct-related Transformation” – a now struggling to fill. follows through on his settlements, multi-year effort to campaign threat. judgments, legal fees move tens of thousands and other costs. of low-income residents from crime-ridden, high-rise public housing in Chicago. BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 7 Top Ten Investigations Taxes & Spending THE PUBLIC EYE Pensions & Salaries Criminal Justice, Ethics & Environment & Health, Taxes Taxes & Spending Accountability & Spending Rauner Reprieve Trump Towers Chicago Payroll Blagojevich’s Inner Chicago Bag Tax Is On Costly Credit With Huge Tax Packed With Circle: Where Are About Green, But Swap Solution Savings Six-Figure Salaries They Now? What Kind? May Have Political JUNE 18, 2016 AUGUST 4, 2016 JULY 30, 2016 NOVEMBER 16, 2016 Timetable President-elect Adding to the city’s The BGA takes a look at Mayor Rahm Emanuel OCTOBER 23, 2016 Donald Trump saved a financial burdens, the where his former aides says bag tax is about the Deal to spare the state whopping $800,000 in number of high-paid landed. One worked environment, but critics potentially costly property taxes on his workers has ballooned for U2’s Bono and Jill say it’s about cash. penalties expires the day unoccupied penthouse by 92 percent since Biden, another served after the next election because of a unique 2013. New York Mayor for governor in 2018. Cook County tax policy. Bloomberg, while others dropped out of sight. BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 8 Top Ten Results NEW LAWS: LEGAL ACTION: LEGAL ACTION: LEGAL ACTION: FINE: Illinois Adopts 22 BGA Lawsuit Forced Release of Court Overturns Casino Pays $1.65 Good Government Prompts Release Emanuel Emails, Injunction Million Laws Supported By of CPD Shooting New Policy Change Blocking Release Of Rivers Casino in Des BGA Videos As a result of a BGA Police Misconduct Plaines pays a $1.65 Yes, reform is possible! Judge orders CPD investigation and legal Records million fine following In 2016, the BGA to release all files action, the City of Chalk up a win for an Illinois gaming board policy team advocated and videotapes of Chicago and Mayor transparency and investigation spurred in for the adoption of fatal Chicago Police Rahm Emanuel release accountability as the part by the BGA. 22 good government Department shootings more than 3,200 pages of Illinois Appellate Court laws including: 9 over the last five years Emanuel’s private emails lifts an injunction accountability laws, 5 in response to a BGA related to city business— blocking the release transparency laws, 4 lawsuit. subject to any applicable of police misconduct government streamlining legal exemptions—and complaint records. laws, 3 ethics and 1 institute a new policy that criminal justice reform will ban city employees law. That’s progress! and officials from using their private email accounts to conduct city business. BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 9 Top Ten Results NEW LAWS: FIRING: DONATIONS RESIGNATION: ADMISSION OF GUILT: PROMISED: Local Governments Rauner Housing Elected Officials Accused Of Perjury, Cook County Told To Rein In Appointee Out Agree To Pay It Chicago Cop Quits Circuit Court Travel Spending Amid Allegations Back Several months after Employee Pleads A new state law inspired After inquiries from Following questions the BGA and CBS2 Guilty by BGA investigations the BGA, the Rauner from the BGA about highlight the case of Dorothy Brown worker means meals, hotels and administration forces nonprofits donating a Chicago cop who admits to lying to grand other travel expenses will out a housing official money to Illinois allegedly lied in court jury as part of probe of get tougher scrutiny. amid pay-to-play politicians, a number of in an attempted murder alleged pay-to-play in allegations. elected officials agree to case, the Chicago Police the agency. refund money. Department moves to fire her, and she resigns. BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 10 AWARDS The BGA is proud to report that its investigations and watchdog efforts have been honored with dozens of national and local awards in recent years. In 2015 the BGA won 8 journalism awards. BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION 2016 ANNUAL REPORT 11 Awards Lisagor Awards Kogan Media Awards May 2017 May 2017 The Chicago Headline Club, the largest Society of Professional Two BGA stories were recognized by the Journalists chapter in the country, presents awards that recognize Chicago Bar Association, which sponsors the the best of Chicago journalism and are named for Peter Lisagor, the awards contest. Chicago Daily News’ Washington bureau chief from 1959 to 1976.
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