BETTER GOVERNMENT IS UP TO US!
BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
18 Candid Conversations 21 Spotlight on Springfield 02 President & CEO Letter 22 Events 03 Mission 26 Financials 04 Five Pillars of Action 27 Staff and Interns 05 By the Numbers 28 Boards and Trustees 06 Top Ten Results and 30 Donors Investigations 09 Awards and Recognition 12 Policy Unit 16 Civic Engagement
1 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT DEAR FRIENDS, It’s always fun to tell new people about our work at the Better Government Association. When I say SUPPORTERS we investigate waste, fraud, corruption, mismanagement and inefficiency in city, suburban and state government, the response is usually along the lines of, “Sounds like long-term job security.” AND PARTNERS, And, in fact, looking back at 2015 is enough to disgust Illinois residents and enrage Chicagoans. As I write this, we’re more than half a year without a state budget, we’ve seen the indictment of the Chicago Public Schools CEO on bribery charges, the resignation of the city’s police chief in the wake of the police shooting of a teenager, and that’s on top of 122 stories our investigators completed in 2015. If there’s ever been a time when we need the BGA, it’s now. Every day, every headline, every City Council meeting and every legislative battle is a reminder that we need a watchdog. We’ve been blessed with ardent supporters and generous donors, but we can’t do this watchdog work alone. Better government is up to us—all of us, including you. Too many of us are apathetic, disengaged and not even registering or voting. This crisis of civic disengagement is the challenge we face if we plan to turn this state around, so that taxpayers finally get the good government they’re entitled to in exchange for their hard-earned tax dollars. In 2016, I hope you’ll help us shine a brighter light on government and hold more public officials accountable, so that eventually we’ll be able to take a day off.
Your Watchdog,
[email protected] | Andy Shaw
2 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 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.
3 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT FIVE PILLARS OF ACTION
The BGA’s Investigative Unit examines allegations of waste, fraud, corruption and mismanagement in Investigate city, county, suburban and state government.
We are entitled to access certain public records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). When the Litigate BGA is denied access to these documents, we take legal action to force government agencies to comply with the law.
The BGA’s Idea Forums, Candid Conversations, Watchdog Trainings and FOIA Clinics are free events that Educate inform, engage and empower the public.
The BGA’s Policy Unit advocates for a more open, accountable and efficient government through public Advocate policy reforms.
The BGA communicates through hundreds of media stories and appearances with dozens of media Communicate partners around the state.
4 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT BY THE NUMBERS
493 investigations 120 results 31 awards 47 legal actions 13,000 people engaged
5 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT INVESTIGATIONS & RESULTS
Since 2009, the BGA has produced 493 investigations of waste, fraud, corruption and mismanagement of government in Illinois. In recent years, the BGA’s watchdog work has prompted more than 120 results and reforms that will save taxpayers an estimated $50 million.
6 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT TOP INVESTIGATIONS
Fatal Shootings By Chicago Police Tops Among Biggest U.S. Cities Chicago police have shot and killed 70 people over a five-year period, the highest number among America’s 10 largest cities.
Feds Investigate Circuit Court Clerk Federal authorities investigate after BGA/FOX 32 reported on a questionable land deal involving Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown, her husband and a campaign donor.
Dead People Get Government Pensions BGA finds Illinois’ largest pension funds send thousands of payments to deceased people, a sign of weak oversight in some taxpayer-subsidized retirement systems.
Bureaucracy Balloons At City Colleges As enrollment declines and tuition rises at City Colleges of Chicago, the chancellor gets a big bonus and more administrators are earning six figures.
Taxpayers’ Toxic Tenant The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District is supposed to safeguard our water supply, but it’s been leasing land to polluters, including an oil company with a history of chemical spills.
BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
7 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT TOP RESULTS
Privatization Ordinance Passes Chicago City Council The BGA’s Policy Unit helped draft the new Privatization Transparency, Accountability and Performance Ordinance that became law in Chicago in November. The long-awaited ordinance is designed to increase transparency and accountability, and prevent another parking meter fiasco.
CPS Revises Grad Rates After BGA/WBEZ Report Acknowledging graduation rates were inflated, Chicago Public Schools officials revised those overly rosy numbers.
Dems Dump Dorothy The Democratic Party strips away Dorothy Brown’s endorsement amid a criminal investigation, which sources say is also examining her husband’s business. The BGA and FOX 32 were the first to investigate questionable donations to Brown’s campaign in 2013.
Casino Hit With $2 Million Fine The Illinois Gaming Board proposes fining Rivers Casino $2 million following a BGA inquiry involving a casino contractor.
School Official Heads To Prison Following BGA investigations of financial irregularities, the Lyons Township School Treasurer is accused of embezzling $1.5 million, pleads guilty to theft and is sentenced to nine years in prison.
BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
8 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
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.
9 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Edward R. Murrow Award | April 2015 The BGA’s website, the main vehicle for BGA investigative stories, was recognized for regional excellence by the Radio Television Digital News Association. Awarded: “Regional Small Online News Organization Website”
Lisagor Awards | May 2015 The Chicago Headline Club, the largest Society of Professional Journalists chapter in the country, presents awards that recognize the best of Chicago journalism and are named for Peter Lisagor, the Chicago Daily News’ Washington bureau chief from 1959 to 1976.
The 2014 BGA articles recognized include: The ABC’s of UNO Awards: Best In-Depth Reporting in a magazine or magazine section, Best Political Reporting in a newspaper or magazine, Best Education Reporting in a newspaper or magazine Fire Suppression Awards: Best Investigative Report, Best Health or Science Reporting Illinois Public Hospitals Pay $180 Million For Wrongful Death Cases Awards: Best Business Or Consumer Reporting Nuns and Strippers Awards: Best News Specialty/Religious Category
BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
10 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Kogan Media Awards | May 2015 Two BGA stories about municipal finances in Illinois were recognized in the online category by the Chicago Bar Association, which sponsors the awards contest.
The 2014 online stories recognized include: Next Up: Illinois Municipal Bankruptcy? Suburban Pension Peril
Chicago Journalists Association Award | November 2015 The Better Government Association–with media partner Chicago Sun-Times – was recently honored by the Chicago Journalists Association for a high-caliber investigative news story.
Accused Of Raping Intern, Cop Still On Force Award: Investigations, Politics and Education Reporting
BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
11 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT POLICY UNIT
The BGA Policy Unit advocates for a more open, accountable and efficient government through public policy reforms. The Policy Unit works to protect and strengthen open government in Illinois and to propose policy solutions to prevent corruption, inefficiency and waste in government.
12 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT POLICY UNIT
In 2015, the BGA policy team was instrumental in passing a hard-fought and important Chicago law that will prevent the city from approving costly and ill-conceived plans to sell major public assets to private enterprises—endeavors that, in the past, have greatly hurt and hindered local residents and taxpayers.
Those efforts resulted in passage of the City of Chicago’s Privatization Transparency, Accountability and Performance Ordinance (PTAPO).
The BGA invested nearly three years of coalition building, research, action campaigns and in-depth conversations with lawmakers and policy strategists in Chicago City Council and Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration.
Throughout this effort, the BGA’s motto was, “No more parking meter deals,” a reference to the city’s controversial and widely reviled spin-off of Chicago parking meters to a private investment group that produced escalating user fees, confusion and inconvenience.
In November, the Chicago City Council voted to implement the BGA-backed reform, which imposes safeguards and important checks on proposed privatization of major city assets and services.
The BGA recognizes privatization is an option for government but stresses that each transaction be performed openly and made accountable to the public.
13 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT POLICY UNIT
Also throughout 2015, the BGA made meaningful progress on an issue that has become increasingly vital in light of recent news about law enforcement shootings and misconduct: the retention of police misconduct records. BGA state lobbyists met with lawmakers throughout early 2015 to stress the urgency of the issue, which has gained momentum since the release of the video of a Chicago police officer shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times.
In 2015, the BGA submitted a letter to the Local Records Commission stressing the importance of these files and urging the commission to maintain them indefinitely. Staff continues to lobby for a state law that would ensure the retention of these records.
The BGA policy team also tackled some of its long-standing issues of transparency and efficiency as they arose in city and state government: • The unit continued its “Smart Streamlining” efforts towards more efficient, effective government by testifying before Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti’s Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates Task Force. • Staff met with many members of the Chicago City Council to share BGA research and encourage aldermanic support of a pending ordinance that would expand the jurisdiction of the Chicago Inspector General to include the City Council. • The BGA continued to monitor and tried to prevent efforts to weaken the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
14 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
POLICY UNIT
The Policy Unit also played an important role in many of the BGA’s civic engagement efforts: • Policy staff produced a voter’s guide that provided Chicago residents with key information on where, when and how to register and vote in the Chicago municipal races. • Staff compiled responses for two mayoral candidate questionnaires that compared candidate positions on major issues of transparency and accountability. • Hundreds of people attended five BGA Idea Forums, which are panel discussions featuring experts and stakeholders in important, timely good government issues. Forums in 2015 were held in both Chicago and Springfield, and covered issues of charter school transparency, the Freedom of Information Act, municipal bankruptcy, state government and redistricting. • Staff also contributed research to Think Tank blog posts, columns and Good Government Spotlights throughout 2015. • Policy staff assisted in the preparation and coordination of two Candid Conversations. BGA President & CEO Andy Shaw sat down with mayoral challenger Jesus “Chuy” Garcia in March and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in November for in-depth conversations about good government issues.
15 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
The BGA’s Civic Engagement Program encourages meaningful participation in civic activities. Programs are designed to allow discourse about civic issues and provide the public with the knowledge and know-how they need to access public information and effectively express their concerns about government.
16 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
January 21, 2015 January 28, 2015 September 22, 2015 Watchdog DePaul University Idea Getting the Scoop on New Lawmakers Vs. Chicago Charter Schools Old Problems: How Training: Forums: Belmont Cragin, Freshman Legislators June 6, 2015 Chicago Will Tackle Illinois’ Pilsen Long-Running Troubles Chicago March 24, 2015 Springfield FOIA Facts & Friction: October 29, 2015 The Future Of December 3, 2015 Bucktown Open Records Laws Who Should Draw Chicago In Illinois Illinois’ Political Map? Springfield Loop, Chicago
June 3, 2015 Municipal Bankruptcy: Is Your Hometown School District the Next Detroit? Loop, Chicago
17 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT CANDID CONVERSATIONS
In 2015, BGA President and CEO Andy Shaw sat down for exclusive interviews with Toni Preckwinkle and Chuy Garcia on good government issues. The conversations are broadcast live online and available as videos at bettergov.org.
18 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT CANDID CONVERSATIONS: TONI PRECKWINKLE
Novemeber 12, 2015 In an exclusive interview with Better Government Association President & CEO Andy Shaw, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle defended her move to increase the county’s sales tax and her proposed increases in taxes on hotel and motel stays and the purchases of firearms and ammunition.
During the interview held at the Union League Club of Chicago, Preckwinkle attributed the county’s financial troubles to the “inattention and irresponsibility” of her predecessors and highlighted moves she’s made to close budget deficits, reduce spending and trim the county’s workforce.
Preckwinkle gave candid responses to Shaw’s questions on a wide range of topics, including her efforts to reform the criminal justice and health systems, reduce the county’s jail population, fix the underfunded public pension systems, spark economic development and work with other powerful elected officials.
19 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT CANDID CONVERSATIONS: CHUY GARCIA
March 3, 2015 Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia did what no other mayoral candidate had done before: forced a runoff election. But before the final vote, which resulted in a win for incumbent Rahm Emanuel, BGA President & CEO Andy Shaw sat down with the mayoral hopeful at the Union League Club of Chicago for a one-on-one interview to discuss his vision for Chicago. The conversation followed a December 2014 sit-down with Emanuel on a number of good government issues.
Garcia discussed what he would’ve done differently from the mayor over the past four years, including the top-down closure of CPS schools, as well as what he will do going forward in regards to Chicago’s troubled finances.
The event was streamed live on CAN-TV and on the BGA’s website.
20 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT SPOTLIGHT ON SPRINGFIELD
In 2015, the BGA continued to focus on Springfield and issues facing the state of Illinois.
The “Smart Streamlining” initiative continued this year with BGA Policy Analyst Alden Loury testifying before the Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates Task Force in November. That task force later made recommendations to Gov. Bruce Rauner.
The BGA also was among a number of good government groups formally calling for the governor and legislative leaders to meet to discuss the state’s budget as the standoff dragged on.
The Springfield Advisory Board met numerous times to provide guidance, support and resources to our Springfield watchdog operation. The advisory board also helped to host two civic engagement events for Springfield-area residents: one on the future of the Freedom of Information Act with the State Journal- Register and another with freshman legislators discussing Illinois’ biggest problems.
The BGA continues to make Springfield a priority as we work to shine a brighter light on taxpayer dollars flowing through the Statehouse and to hold our state officials accountable.
21 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT
EVENTS
The BGA hosts three fundraising events a year: > The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting > The BGA’s Young Professionals Board’s Summer Comedy Event and > BGA’s Annual Luncheon.
22 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT EVENTS: THE RICHARD H. DRIEHAUS FOUNDATION AWARDS FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
May 15, 2015 The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting honor excellence in government-related investigative reporting in the Midwest. These Awards recognize the importance of investigative journalism in advancing the principles of democracy. Our featured guest was Bill Keller, former executive editor of the New York Times and current editor-in-chief of The Marshall Project— a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization covering America’s criminal justice system. 1st Place: “Harsh Treatment” by David Jackson, Gary Marx and Duaa Eldeib (Chicago Tribune) 2nd Place: “Child protection failures in Minnesota” by Brandon Stahl (Star Tribune) 3rd Place: “Unguarded” by Lucas Sullivan, Mike Wagner, Jill Riepenhoff, Josh Jarman, Brooke LaValley and Alan Miller (The Columbus Dispatch)
23 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT EVENTS: SUMMER COMEDY EVENT
August 6, 2015 Chicago-bred comedian John Mulaney returned home for one night only to perform for the sold out crowd at the Park West. This was the fourth annual fundraiser put on by the BGA’s Young Professionals Board and the most successful one to-date. The roughly 600 guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and drinks while checking out the vast array of raffle prizes. Chicago-based comedian Adam Burke, voted the best local standup in the Chicago Reader last year, warmed up the crowd with his candid observations of life in Chicago.
24 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT EVENTS: ANNUAL LUNCHEON
October 19, 2015 A crowd of 1,000 supporters and guests watched BGA President & CEO Andy Shaw host a keynote conversation with David Muir, an Emmy Award-winning anchor of ABC World News Tonight with David Muir and co-anchor of ABC’s 20/20. The BGA also honored Zach Fardon on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois with the BGA Watchdog Award.
25 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT FINANCIALS
INCOME: $4.8 MILLION EXPENSES: $3.3 MILLION
Major Donors...... 49% Investigations...... 46% Events...... 32% Policy...... 14% Foundations...... 9% Development...... 13% Individual Members & Donors...... 2% Administration...... 9% Other...... 8% Communication & Media...... 13% Civic Engagement...... 5%
26 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT STAFF & INTERNS
President and CEO Sandy Bergo 2015 interns Andy Shaw Brett Chase Alexandra Alexandru Michelle D’Onofrio Marissa Boulanger Director of Programming Katie Drews Mary Byrne Robert Reed Adeline Epstein Morgan Christian Director of Development Hilary Fosdal John Knowles & External Relations Alexandra Gilewicz Mackenzie Morris Mary Frances O’Connor Bethany Hartley Sara Ryan Sarah Karp Kadeja Tyler Director of Lia Landor Jessica Villagomez Investigations Alden Loury Robert Herguth Patrick McCraney Director of Ivan Moreno Administration Emmett Murphy Ernest Crowder Chuck Neubauer Patrick Rehkamp Kaitlyn Schauer Andrew Schroedter Stephanie Hardiman Simon Judy Stevens
27 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES
Board of Directors Ludwig Kolman Maree G. Bullock Life Trustees Chair Robert Levin John A. Canning, Jr. Howard Alper Mark E. Rust Christina Martini Robert Carson Seymour A. Cohen
Rosemary Matzl Lester Crown E. David Coolidge III Vice Chairs Jack Modzelewski John Edwardson William Donnell Daniel L. Goodwin Rachel Niewoehner Ron Gidwitz Melvin Katten Steve Miller Lawrence Oliver Christie Hefner Jonathan Kovler Heidi Rudolph José Padilla David Herro James Ratcliffe Eric Berlin Cheryl Pearson-McNeil Michael Keiser Jonathan C. Bunge Miles Ripley Chris Kennedy Springfield Advisory Marta Carreira-Slabe Chris Segal William Lowry Committee Patrick Collins Thom Serafin Joe Mansueto Chair Margaret Daley G. Scott Solomon James Perry Marilyn Kushak Samuel Fifer Juliet Sorensen John Rogers Vice Chair Merri Jo Gillette Kristofer Swanson Arabel Alva Rosales Cindy Davis Fran Grossman Lisabeth Weiner Brenda Russell Hill Hammock Harry Seigle Emily Becker Civic Leadership Ted Hawkins Phyllis Tabachnick Dan Cadigan Committee Hamilton H. Hill Laura Washington Dr. Kevin Dorsey Co-Chairs Scott Hodes Jim Forstall E. David Coolidge III David Hoffman Hon. Karen Hasara Melvin Katten D. Carroll Joynes Mike Lawrence Gary Kleinrichert Francis Beidler III Kip Leverton David Kohn Dr. Byron Brazier Victoria Ringer
28 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD
Jennifer Bushaw Jeff Golden Ryan Holst Justin Kay Nathan T. Kipp Jade Lambert Gina LaMonica Dan Lombard Matthew Luzadder Chris Lynch Kristin Munsch Lauren Norris Jackie Pruitt Philip Riley Carrie Voss
29 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT FOUNDATION DONORS
Alphawood Foundation The Boeing Company Charitable Trust Carol Lavin Bernick Family Foundation The Canning Foundation Dr. Scholl Foundation The Chicago Community Trust Edward and Rose Donnell Foundation The Field Foundation of Illinois Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation The John R. Houlsby Foundation Francis Beidler Foundation The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation Francis Beidler III and Prudence R. Beidler The Louise H. Landau Foundation Foundation The Oppenheimer Family Foundation Fred J. Brunner Foundation The Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead Trust Illinois Tool Works Foundation The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Thomas M. Owens & Mary M. Owens Foundation Kayser Family Foundation Fund of the DuPage Foundation Kirkland & Ellis Foundation Kovler Family Foundation Norwottock Charitable Trust PERT Foundation Peter and Paula Fasseas Foundation Robert R. McCormick Foundation Seigle Family Foundation Slanta-Murray Family Fund Stein Family Charitable Fund
30 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT CORPORATE DONORS
ABC7 Chicago FOX 32 News Chicago Navigant Consulting ACTA Publications Franczek Radelet NBC 5 Chicago Albany Bank & Trust Company Freeborn & Peters LLP Northern Trust Company Anonymous FTI Consulting Northwestern University Anonymous Gould & Ratner Perkins Coie Aon Graycor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Ariel Investments, LLC Greenberg Traurig, LLP R Carrozza Plumbing ASGK Public Strategies, LLC Grisko Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & AT&T Illinois Horizon Pharma Flom LLP Barnes & Thornburg LLP Howard L Gottlieb Living Trust State Farm Bensinger, DuPont & Associates Huskey & Associates, Inc. The Alford Group Berkeley Research Group Illinois Tool Works Inc. The Fortnightly of Chicago BMO Harris Bank Jenner & Block The Inland Real Estate Group of Business Executives Association Jones Day Companies, Inc. Charles River Associates JPMorgan Chase & Co. The PNC Financial Services Group CSX Transportation Kirkland & Ellis LLP The PrivateBank Dentons US LLP Kopon Airdo, LLC UBS DePaul University Kozy Heating & Air Conditioning Union League Club of Chicago DLA Piper LLP (US) KPMG United Conveyor Foundation Dover Corporation Latham & Watkins LLP WBBM-TV (CBS2) CBS 2 Chicago Ed Uihlein Family Foundation Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Inc. Wedner Family Foundation Ernst & Young Loevy & Loevy Attorneys at Law William Blair & Company Exelon Magellan Corporation Wirtz Corp. FleishmanHillard McGuireWoods LLP Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
31 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Anonymous Howard C. Alper Robert H. Baum Robed Black Anonymous Buzz Alpert Paul F. Bazan Marvin Blackwell Anonymous Kate Ander Cara Bean Ben Blaine Anonymous Bruce Appleby Emily Becker Stanley Block Cynthia Abbott Lizette Arias William L. Becker Frank Bloecher Luma Abdulkarim Brenda Asare Robert Becker Stephen J. Bloom Johnson Abraham Cameron S. Avery Ruth Becker Mary Alyce Blum Sergio Acosta Dick Babcock Frank Beckman David Bohan Thomas Adair Ted Bachrach Thomas W. Begg, Jr. Reid Bolton Peter Adams Daniel Bacon Francis Beidler Jan Boudart Charles Adams Barbara Badger Francis Beidler III Marissa Boulanger Susan Adler Clem Balanoff Norman J. Beles Matthew Bourke Patrick J. Agnew Frank D. Ballantine Brandon Bell H. Woods Bowman Patrick Ahern Shannon Barker Clark Bell Maggie Bowman Dirk Ahlbeck Brian J. Barrett Katherine L. Bendix Patrick Boylan Tony Ajster Patrick Barrett Scott Benjaminson Shawn T. Bradley Colette C. Ajster Bruce Barron Nancy Benson Nancy Brandt Miguel Alba William C. Bartholomay Brian J. Berg Jacqueline Brave Mark Albers Edward Bartunek Charles S. Bergen Caitlyn Brennan Dwight Alden Sheldon Baskin Eric Berlin Jean Brennan Lee Allen Gino Battaglia Arthur Berman Noelle Brennan Kathleen Allen Laura Battigelli Ira Bernstein Jason Brett Jim Allen Warren Batts Brian Bianchi Tommy Brewer Peter Almeroth Frank Bauer Dobra Bielinski Dennis Bringuet
32 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Linda Brongel Ray Capitanini Terry Clerkin Joseph D’Amico Gila Bronner Frank Capitanini Brian Clutter Henry Daar William G. Brown Herbert Caplan Mitchell Cobey Laura Dahl Jeff Brown Marta Carreira-Slabe Seymour A. Cohen Julie Dahlberg Ralph Brown Thomas Carroll Rosemary Colbert Margaret Daley Glenn Browne Linda Carson Elliot Cole Vince R. Daley Eugene F. Broyls Robert Carson Timothy Collins Kent P. Dauten Donna Brtis Brent Carstensen Patrick M. Collins John Davey John Bucksbaum Duane Carter Thomas P. Conrardy Bruce & Laurie Davidson James W. Buik Margaret Cartier E. David Coolidge III Roger Davis Maree G. Bullock Patrick Casey Karen Cooper John Davis Jonathan C. Bunge Erik Cempel Brandon Copple Thad Davis Susan Burkhardt Samuel Chacko Ellen Corley Laurence Davis Larry Burton Catherine Chaskin Joseph Cosenza Patricia Davoren Edward M. Bury Antonio Chattams Dave Coughlin Jo Day Eileen Byrne Monty Childs Michael Cramer Matthew Dayton Kathy Cabala Thomas Chomicz Amy Crawford Cristina De Leon Daniel Cadigan Karen Christiansen Andy Crestodina Kent Dean Laura Caldwell Jean L. Churchman Sam Crews Marti DeGraaf Thomas Campbell Sue A. Cicero Robin Cronin Robert Deignan Jenny Campbell Colleen Cichon-Mulcrone Lester Crown Pedro DeJesus Dwight Canfield Nessim Cicurel Ron Culp Bernard J. Del Giorno John A. Canning Frank Ciszewski Kathy Cummings Erin Delaney Al Capitanini Phil Clement Kathy Cusimano Diane DeMers
33 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Lisa Dermateosian Diane Edmundson Clifton Fenton Robert Fullone Owen Deutsch Jon Edwards Samuel Fifer Mark Furlong Chris Deveny John A. Edwardson Paul J. Finnegan Terry Gabel Becky DeVries Gary M. Elden Richard H. Fitzgerald Bridget Gainer Omar Diaz Allen E. Eliot John Fitzpatrick Robert Galloy Margaret Dickerson Scott Elliott Thomas Fitzpatrick Christopher B. Galvin Joshua Diller Harriet Wilson W. Ellis Tim Flood N Ganzer Cassandra DiPrizio Steven Elrod Fernando Flores Saul Garcia Andrew J. Dixon Jerome Emer Pat Folland Charles Gardner William S. Donnell Ross Emmerman James Forstall Shirley Garland James R. Donnelley Linda Englund Eric Fox James Gazis Madeleine Doubek Deborah Epstein Brian Fox Kevin Gazley Richard Douglas Fred Eychaner Brad Fox Andrew R. Gelman Morgan Drdak Mark Faasse Kimberly Fraher John George Adrienne Drell Carlo Fabiano Mark Frank Tom Geraghty Patricia J. DuCanto Leah Farmer Bud Frankel Anita Gewurz Peter M. Duffy Fletcher Farrar Terry Franklin Salma Ghanem Ryan Dunigan David M. Farrell Matt Frekko Ronald J. Gidwitz Jeffrey Durkes Stephen Fatum Carol French Lynn Gilfillan Kelly Durkin Sally Faust Tim Freyer Merri Jo Gillette Bill Dwyer Janice L. Feinberg Philip M. Friedmann Bertha Gimbel Ralph Eads George Fejt Linda M. Fritz Janice Gintzler Cole Easterday Jeffrey Fenichel Roger Fross Scott Glickson Donald P. Eckler Elizabeth Fenner Mike Fuhrmann Dave Goetz
34 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Jack Goggin Frances Grossman Hans Heitman Blair Hull Arthur E. Goldberg Andrew Grzesiak Robert A. Helman Philip W. Hummer Bartley F. Goldberg Constance Guardi Adam Helman Patricia J. Hurley Jeffrey Golden Carla Guest David G. Herro Matt S. Ibach David B. Golder Michael J. Gurgone Mark Hersh Bruce H. Iglauer Rachel Goodstein Michele Gustin John Heuman Douglas Imber Jim Gordon Melvin Guthrie Dave Hicks Suzanne Isaacson Karen Gordon Donald D. Hahn Jerry Hicks Brian S. Israel Kenneth Gorenberg Kathleen Hall Hamilton Hill Anne Marie Jackson Julia Gorman Ray Hallowell David D. Hiller Anonymous Ronald S. Gorski Hill Hammock Robert Hinton Rob Jacobi Barbara Gosh Howard Handler Joyce Hirsch Peter Jacobs Graham C. Grady Albert C. Hanna Robert F. Hirsch Fruman Jacobson Bradford Graham Molly Hansen David Hodapp Bethany Jaeger Leslie Grammer Kenneth Harang Scott Hodes Harry J. Jaffe Thomas Grant Roy Harris Mark Hoffman Robert D. Jaffee Deirdre Graziano Mark Harris David Hoffman Kaitlyn Jakubowski Len Green Janice Harrison William Hood Edgar D. Jannotta Carole Greene Allison Harshberger James Horvath Cheryl Jenkins John K. Greene Dennis E. Hebson William B. Houston Ross Jepsen Venita Griffin Christie Hefner Leslie Howard James Jerue Kenneth C. Griffin Dan Heidkamp William A. Howard Charles Jesser Philip W. Grinstead Marcella Hein Raymond Howick Kathryn Johnson Carolyn Grisko Rich A. Heise Karin Hribar Steve Johnson
35 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Bruce W. Johnson Kevin Keane Ludwig E. Kolman Arden Lang Lillian Johnson James G. Keane Luke Kolman Gordon V. Lang Eric Johnson Michael Keiser Roger Konarski Cynthia Langston Ruth Johnston Chris Keiser John Kopczyk Diane Lappin A. Jane Johnston Ellen Kelleher Stacia L. Kopplin Tina Larson James Johnston Robert Kelter Roseann Kordik Sheri Latash Suzanne E. Jones Karen Kendall Anita Kosova Norman W. Lathrop Kim Jones Jeffrey Kendzierski Michael Kowal Kent Lawrence Thomas M. Jones Karen Kennedy John H. Krehbiel William Lear Betsy Jones Rory Kenny William Kresse Moses Lee Mark Joyner Helen J. Kessler Virginia Kriho Kenneth Lehman Carroll Joynes John Kett Joshua Krohn Nancy Leitschuh Timothy Kaczmarek Thad Kielch John F. Krupka Celia Leventhal Louis Kahnweiler Thomas Kirk Wayne Kubacki Kip Leverton Diana Kaiser Jeffrey Kissinger Marilyn Kushak Mark S. Levey David Kalat Edward Kita John La Marre Norman G. Levin Arlene Kallien Barbara D. Klein Ted LaBelle Bob Levin Arthur O. Kane Gary Kleinrichert Heather Lacey Roland G. Ley Andrew Kaplan Robert S. Klonowski William Lachman Ellen Ley Anastasia Katinas Steven L. Koebel Deborah Lahey Thomas Lia Mitchell Katten Megan Koehnen Brannon Lambert Jack Lieberman Tilden Katz Lance Kohan Gina LaMonica Robert B. Lifton Barry Katz David Kohn Peter Landau Elizabeth Lindquist Richard Kaye Martin Koldyke Herb Laney Allan J. Lindrup
36 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Margaret Lindsay Richard Malone George McCaskey Mark Miller Rhita S. Lippitz Bashir Mamdani Nell F. McClendon Russell M. Miller James J. Listwan Lydia Mangiardi Moira McGovern Kelly Miller Robert A. Livingston Susan H. Manos David McGranahan Chekisha A. Mitchell James Lockard Joe Mansueto Richard H. McKay Jameson Mitchell Nic Lodge Frank Marchiori Lester McKeever William C. Mitchell Dirk Lohan James Marco Andrew J. McKenna Michael Mock Emily Lohse-Busch Jared Margolis John McLean Jack Modzelewski Daniel Lombard Kimberly Marinaro Kane McLoughlin David Moes Joseph Lombardo Anonymous Stephen J. McShane Joanne Moore-Fafore Henry Lorsch Nichole Marshall Richard K. Means Clifford Morehead Jean Lotus Timothy Martch Javier Medina Brian Morgan Joseph G. Loundy Wendy Martin Patricia Meessmann Eugene Morris Ramiro Lozano Christina Martini William Megyery Melinda Morris Matt Luzadder Rachel Marusarz David Melton Robert B. Morris Catherine L. Lynch David Marzec Samuel M. Mencoff Brock Morrison Christopher Lynch Richard I. Mateles Paul Mesnick Matt Mroczek Lawrence Lynch Dorothy Matern Robert Metz William Muenster James W. Mabie Roberta S. Matlin George Michael Charles W. Mulaney Thomas Macchione Lisa Mattes David Miklos Erin Muldoon Gary E. MacDougal Rosemary E. Matzl Ronald S. Miller Richard L. Muller Wayne Machnich Myrna Mazur Steven M. Miller Pam Munoz John MacLeod Julie Mazzola Janice Miller David M. Murdoch Patrick K. Maher Margaret McCamant Dan Miller Terry Murphy
37 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Patrick J. Murphy Paul O’Shea Paula Patrick Charlene Posner Glenn Nadig James O’Shea Sarah Pavlik Deborah Post David Nalezny Mary Frances O’Connor Anthony Pedretti Rita Powers Steve Napleton Lawrence Oliver Kenneth Perkins Marguerite Prehm Carol Navin Rich Olson Edwenna Perkins Roger Price Langdon Neal Barbara L. Olson James Perry Richard Price Chuck Neubauer Benjamin Orzeske Philip Pessin Jeffrey U. Price Charlotte Newberger William Osborn Douglas Peters Marjorie Pries James Newcomb Tim Oshaughnessy Harry Peters Jacqueline Pruitt Joyce Newcomb Jeffrey Oskin Gordon B. Peters Jackie Pruitt Shelly Ng Taylor Overstreet Alan Peterson Diana Quesada Nikki Noffsinger John Ozcomert Sharon Petry Roxanne Quigley Seymour Nordenberg José D. Padilla Bruce Pfaff Janelle Rabine Gregory Nussbaum Liz Pahlke Marina Phelps Brad Rady Donald F. O’Brien Sherwin E. Pakin Jeff Philips Patrisia Ramirez Shawn O’Brien Gregory Palis Ronald Picur Lindsay Rank Kay O’Brien Deborah Palucki Mary Jo Pienton Richard J. Raskin John P. O’Connor Beverley Paonessa Audrey Plank Cynthia Stone Raskin Patrick O’Connor Kathy Parker Andrea Poet Kristina Rasmussen Molly O’Donnell James Parker Philip Pogue James M. Ratcliffe Pat O’Malley John C. Parmer William Poirier Spencer H. Raymond Bill J. O’Neill Gilda Parrella Stanley Pollock Shirley Redmond Keegan O’Rahilly Barbara Pasquinelli Alicia Pond Robert Reed Hadley O’Regan Sandeep Patel Marie Poppy Catherine Rehkamp
38 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Robert Rehkamp Joseph M. Robinson Gregg Rzepczynski Charles C. Schoenau Daniel Reinberg Jeff Robinson Mitchell A. Sabshon Steve Scholly Renee Reiner Nancy Robinson Nathaniel Sack Stuart Schulman Diane Reinhart Michael Roche Bruce Sagan Charles P. Schwartz Jerry Reinsdorf James Rocska Esther S. Saks Miriam B. Scott David Reisinger Royal Rodgers Lucy Salenger Linda E. Scott Michael A. Reiter Ronald H. Rodriguez Steve Saltzman Susan Seavey Miriam Reitz John Rokacz D. Milton Salzer Peggy Seeley Stephanie Rens- Roc Roney Randall Samborn Alice Segal Domiano Herbert Root Byron Samuel Chris Segal David Resnicoff Arabel Alva Rosales Tom Samuelson Robin Selati J. Christopher Reyes Don Rose Lauren Sanford David Selmer Constance Reynolds Debra Rosenberg Susan Sarkauskas Charles J. Sennet Royden R. Rice Warner A. Rosenthal Muneer A. Satter Ulrich Senz Tobin Richter Glen Roter Heather Sattler Thom Serafin Philip Riley Robert A. Roth Ernest R. Sawyer Tushin Shah Mary Fran Riley Seymour Rothstein Edward Schaefer Joan Shapiro Emma Riley Hillarie Rovi Peter Schauer Andy Shaw Victoria Ringer Susan B. Rubnitz Josh Scheinfeld Katherine Shaw WIlliam Riordan Heidi Rudolph Cynthia Schilsky Tom Sheffield Miles Ripley Martin Runkle Bradley Schmarak Kay Shelton Richard Ristau Mark E. Rust Kenneth Schmidt Melinda K. Shelton Jason M. Roberts John K. Rutledge Arthur B. Schneider Michael Sheridan Richard A. Roberts James Ryan Herbert Schneiderman Sam Sianis
39 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Debi Sieckman Zygmunt Sokolnicki Margaret Stewart Megan Taylor Eric Sigurdson Scott Solomon Robert Stine Pam Taylor Harvey Silverstone Juliet Sorensen James P. Stirling Thomas Terry John Simmons Glenn Spachman John Stoesser John Thode Adele Simmons Diana K. Spencer Patricia Stoll Fred Thomas Haley Simon Susan Sporte Vicki Stoller Robert Thomas Bonnie Simonds Gail Spreen Allan Stone Ann Thornton Dick Simpson Julie Stagliano Robert J. Stracks Sharon Tiknis Marc Sims Frederick W. Stanton Ted Strand Kaitlyn Titus Julie Singler Kathy Stanton Barbara Stubblefield Anne Tobey John M. Sirek Carol Stark Michael Stubbs Jeffrey Tone James Skinner Mary Staros Paul Suder Matthew V. Topic Christine Skony Marilyn Steenwyk Richard Sugar Mark Townsend Michele Skryd Carol Stefan Luke Sully M. Jay Trees David J. Slate Allison Stegich Evan Summers Richard Trojanek Melissa N. Small Nikki W. Stein Mike Sutko Nicholas Tsinoukas Charles L. Smead Mona Stern Michael Svete James Tulley Michele Smith Louis W. Stern Shemika Swann Matthew Tully Clint Smith Melissa Sterne Thompson Judith M. Turk Pamela Smith Steven Sterner Kristofer Swanson Marie Tyse William Smithburg Kate Stetsko Seena Swibel Edward W. Rowe W. Snider Kathleen Stetsko Phyllis Tabachnick Umbenhower, Jr. John E. Snow John B. Stevens Arvin Talwar Vivian Vahlberg William So Ryan Stewart Tiffany Tan Anton Valukas
40 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Alex Valvassori Jessica Weisensell Peter Yamashiro Susan Vander Veer Dave Weisman Richard D. Yant Daniel Vargo Adam Weiss William Yarrow Stephen Vedova Alexander Weissent Scott Yonover Thomas Vicek Mary Welter James Young Bonnie B. Vickrey Chuck Werner Mary Adams Young William Vincent Matthew Werner Roberta B. Zabel Matt Vlasman Ruth Wheeler Gertrude Zaja Michael Vogelgesang James Whitehead Andy Zareba Jeffrey Vogelsang Bridget Whitehead Allan Zelechowski Carrie Vos Doug Whitney Samuel Zell Janet Voss Payson S. Wild, Jr Mark Ziegenhorn Emily Wachowiak Anne Wilder Paul Zinicki Linda Waggoner Bruce Wilkens Mike Zinni Jason Walker Virginia Willcox Stan Zoller Kim Walz Donald R. Wilson Ken Zurek April Wang Randy Wilson Willa P. Warr Michael Wilson Keith Watson Jill Wine-Banks Jerry Webster Nathaniel Winkler Ellen Wehrle Nyra Wise Sheila Weinberg Ann S. Wolff Laurence Weiner Dolores Wynn Jonathan Weintraub Jean Wypychowski
41 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT PRO-BONO DONORS
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42 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT MEDIA DONORS
43 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | 2015 ANNUAL REPORT