Join us for a conversation on the evolving political landscape and the future of democratic institutions with William Kristol, featured guest at the BGA's 2026 Annual Luncheon and Celebration. The discussion with the BGA's President & CEO David Greising will draw on Kristol's work as Editor at Large of The Bulwark and founding director of Defending Democracy Together to examine the role of public discourse in addressing pressing national and civic issues. 📅 Thursday, Oct. 22 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 📍 Palmer House Hilton, Chicago Learn more and reserve your spot here: bit.ly/4hWJ5LN

Don't miss BGA’s Annual Luncheon & Celebration as we recognize this year’s Watchdog Honoree, The Honorable Valerie Jarrett. Throughout her decades of public service and civic leadership, Jarrett has worked to strengthen communities and expand opportunity. As Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama and chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, she mobilized leaders across sectors to address critical challenges, reinforcing the importance of accountable leadership in fostering a more just and engaged society. Join us as we recognize Jarrett’s contributions and look ahead to the BGA’s next chapter. 📅 Thursday, Oct. 22 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 📍 Palmer House Hilton, Chicago bit.ly/4hWJ5LN

Join us for the Better Government Association’s 2026 Annual Luncheon & Celebration! Let’s look ahead to the BGA’s future as we mark more than 100 years of accountability journalism, government transparency and civic engagement, with special guest and honoree Valerie Jarrett and a conversation between BGA President & CEO David Greising and William Kristol on the state of democracy. 📅 Thursday, Oct. 22 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 📍 Palmer House Hilton, Chicago Learn more and reserve your spot here: bit.ly/4hWJ5LN

We are excited to invite you to the next installment of our series, City Council 101: Budget Season. We will be joined by Ald. Jason Ervin, Ald. Bill Conway, and Ald. Andre Vasquez to discuss this year's budget which is shaping up to be a tough one and what it means for our city. Moderated by Sr. Policy Analyst Geoffrey Cubbage, we will explore what to expect this year in terms of budget drafting, managing debt, new revenues and other funding priorities. Register Here: bit.ly/4yT0vzA

Our very own Sr. Policy Analyst Geoffrey Cubbage will join @chipublib to discuss city budget! Join them on Monday Sept. 28 from 6-7:30pm

NEW ANALYSIS: Which @chicago departments stayed within budget last year? Here's our analysis: 💵 Most city departments stayed within their budgets in 2025, a BGA Policy analysis of actual spend data found. 💵 Lawsuits and overtime continue to bust the @Chicago_Police budget, a BGA Policy analysis found: CPD exceeded its nearly $2 billion budget by $146 million in 2025. Read our analysis here: bettergov.org/2026/09/18/ana…

Join us in supporting the incredible work of our journalist. On September 15, Illinois Answers reporters will take you beyond the published story, sharing what they uncovered, how they found it and why their reporting matters for communities across Illinois. RSVP Today: bit.ly/4y3WFDl

On September 15, we're celebrating the work of our journalists at Illinois Answers. Go beyond the published story with reporters as they share what they uncovered, how they found it and why their reporting matters for communities across Illinois. You can RSVP here by Sep 1: bit.ly/4y3WFDl

Join Illinois Answers Project reporters for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the investigations exposing unsafe jails, housing inequities, gambling harms, government finance and school board transparency. Hear the stories behind the headlines and discover how accountability journalism gives us the information we need to hold power accountable and create meaningful change. • 5:30 – 6:30 PM: Museum Exploration + Reception • 6:30 – 7:30 PM: Panel Discussion + Q&A • 7:30 – 8:30 PM: Light Bites + Beer/Wine Be our guest! Please RSVP by Sept. 1st by registering here: bit.ly/4ckta7W

Read our 2023 analysis here: bettergov.org/2023/01/30/ill…

Represented by the @MacArthrJustice, @BetterGov and DuPage County service provider Radical Hospitality Ministries, has filed suit against elements of the judicial branch to force compliance with transparency requirements under the SAFE-T Act. For years, BGA has been working to bring transparency and accountability to Illinois’ judicial system. But not only have the courts avoided providing basic information to the public, they have also been violating the law. bettergov.org/2026/06/18/bga…

BGA Statement on the end of session: This year's schedule was unlike any in recent memory. While legislative sessions are always demanding, the greatest challenge was not the number of days lawmakers worked, but rather how those days were structured. Over a five-month period, the Illinois House and Senate were in session together for just 31 days. Eighteen of those days occurred during May alone as lawmakers rushed toward adjournment. When the two chambers do not meet on the same days, it creates inefficiencies throughout the legislative process. Residents seeking to engage with their government often must make multiple trips to Springfield, taking additional time away from work and family responsibilities. Advocacy organizations, local governments, and stakeholders from across Illinois face increased costs for transportation, lodging, and staffing due to the chambers not meeting on the same day.  At the BGA, we believe government works best when it is accessible to the people it serves. We urge legislative leaders to adopt a schedule that better aligns the work of both chambers and makes participation in government more practical for Illinois residents. Despite these challenges, there were several noteworthy developments this session. For the first time, the Illinois House established a dedicated subcommittee focused on the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act. The creation of this committee reflects the seriousness of ongoing efforts to amend Illinois' transparency laws. While modernization and improvements can be beneficial, changes to FOIA must be approached carefully. Poorly crafted amendments can weaken public access to information and diminish government transparency. The BGA was heavily involved in discussions and negotiations surrounding FOIA legislation throughout the session. Although no major FOIA legislation ultimately passed, the volume and seriousness of the conversations make it clear that transparency laws will remain a significant topic of debate moving forward.  As those discussions continue, the BGA will remain at the table advocating for reforms that strengthen, rather than weaken, the public's right to know. Pension reform, on the other hand, was largely absent from the General Assembly's agenda this year. Illinois' long-term pension challenges remain unresolved, and the BGA will continue advocating for practical, responsible solutions that protect taxpayers. As we move into the summer, our priorities remain unchanged: transparency, accountability, and equity in government. While the legislative session has concluded, our work continues. We look forward to continuing discussions with lawmakers and legislative staff regarding commitments made by both chambers to improve public access to legislative proceedings through more robust and transparent online archives. The BGA will remain engaged on these issues and others, working to ensure that Illinois residents have a government that is open, accessible, and accountable to the people it serves.

For years, the @BetterGov Court Transparency Coalition has pushed for Judicial FOIA and greater transparency within Illinois courts Now, the Illinois Supreme Court has approved a transparency policy that, according to testimony, will publish budgets, staffing data, court system information, OSPS metrics, and more. A step in the right direction.

Illinois courts should be more transparent to the public. SB1826 would allow FOIA requests for judicial branch records, including information on court spending and other public records. Click the link and tell your Senator to support SB1826. #Transparency #FOIA #ILGA

BGA is proud to stand with @impactforequity and others: the CPD Workforce Allocation Study does not support the need for an increase in funding. As Chicago faces daunting fiscal challenges, Chicago police, its largest department, must use its resources prudently. Read the letter: bit.ly/48RgeF9