The Better Government Association commends the Board’s intent to evaluate the efficiency and equality of mosquito-related services in Cook County, and commends the board for passing this resolution. bettergov.org/2025/09/25/bga…

BGA Calls on Illinois Attorney General to Investigate Apparent Violations of the TRUST Act Read the full statement here: bettergov.org/2025/10/01/bga…

New from BGA Policy: Departmental Budgets Fall Short of Mandatory Minimums for City Oversight Agencies bettergov.org/2025/10/06/ana…

NEW: Chicago Police Only City Department to Overspend Local Funds Three Years Running bettergov.org/2025/10/15/cpd…

It’s budget season in Chicago, and that means it’s time for BGA Policy’s popular Budget Snapshots: your go-to, day-by-day guide to each department’s proposed budget. Learn more and sign up here: bettergov.org/city-of-chicag…

BGA Policy is in City Council chambers as the start of the first budget departmental hearings are underway. Keep track of all our budget snapshots here: bettergov.org/tag/budget-hea…

From our VP of Policy Bryan J. Zarou: Has the clerk of Cook County Circuit Court improved transparency as she promised? chicagotribune.com/2025/10/23/opi…

Budget season is in full swing! BGA Policy is analyzing the City of Chicago budget proposals as hearings come up. You can view the up to date snapshots here: bettergov.org/tag/budget-hea…

The Chair has been vacant since July. One member is operating on an expired term since July. Chicago Board of Ethics needs 2 appointments by Mayor Brandon Johnson. They were forced to push back decisions due to lack of quorum. We urge Mayor Brandon Johnson to make these appointments so the

Don't miss our own Policy Analyst, Geoffrey Cubbage, discuss the proposed Chicago Police Department Budget tonight. Virtual sign up link is here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…

The City of Chicago budget hearings are almost over! You can catch up on all of our budget snapshots, full analyses including charts and tables, here: bettergov.org/tag/budget-hea…

From our newsroom: How does investigative journalism make government more accountable? Join Illinois Answers reporters for Power of Journalism: Intersections of Accountability. 📅 Dec 2 📍 The Experimental Station, Chicago RSVP here: bettergov.org/event/16768/

Come raise a glass with our newsroom! Be a part of this crucial dialogue with change makers redefining local journalism and its impact on Chicago’s future. Light bites and drinks will be served. Get your tickets here: host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-f…

Moderator Grace Hauck will guide Illinois Answers Project' conversation on how investigative journalism builds more accountable systems. Join her on Dec. 2! Learn more here: bettergov.org/event/16768/

Our President & CEO David Greising will be on ABC 7 Chicago this morning to discuss his latest opinion column covering Chicago budget negotiations. Watch live at 8:45 a.m. here: abc7chicago.com/watch/live/ And read the column here: chicagotribune.com/2025/11/21/col…

In the state of Illinois, obtaining body cam footage is different than a regular FOIA. Want to get footage? This guide from BGA Policy explains how. bettergov.org/2025/12/02/how…

Curious about how to access police body-cam video through public records? This new guide explains when recordings are eligible, how long they're kept and how to write a proper FOIA request. bettergov.org/2025/12/02/how…

Our VP of Policy Bryan J. Zarou will be on ABC 7 Chicago this morning to discuss redistricting. Watch live at 8:45 a.m. here: abc7chicago.com/watch/live/

BGA Policy conducted an analysis to help those who rely on FOIA understand how the legislature has considered changing access to public documents. You can view it here: bettergov.org/2025/12/09/202…

Illinois lawmakers considered 80 FOIA-related bills in 2025, many of which would narrow public access. BGA Policy breaks down what passed and what it means: bettergov.org/2025/12/09/202…