Category Archives: Andy Shaw

BGA to Chicago City Council: Delay Infrastructure Trust Plan

An open letter to aldermen says the Mayor’s blueprint needs greater scrutiny and more public accountability. It urges the City Council to vote no, or to delay and review, the controversial ordinance. April 17, 2012 Dear Aldermen: It is the … Continue reading

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Filed under Andy Shaw, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Transparency

BGA Statement on the Illinois House Passage of a Bill to End Legislative Scholarships

By Emily Miller Emily is the BGA’s Policy and Government Affairs Coordinator. Contact her at emiller@bettergov.org. Follow her on Twitter @EJMill. The Illinois House today passed HB3810, which calls for the elimination of the decades-old legislative scholarship program. The BGA … Continue reading

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Filed under Andy Shaw, Legislative Update

IL Gambling Expansion: Andy Shaw Voices BGA’s Concerns in Aug. 4 Chicago Tribune

Earlier this summer, the BGA began shining a light on controversial legislation in Springfield that would dramatically expand gaming in Illinois. To push the process toward more transparency, and to better educate the public, we: hosted a standing-room-only idea forum; … Continue reading

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Filed under Andy Shaw, Gaming

Chicago Tribune Editorial: ‘Does Citizen Daley deserve a security detail?’

By Andy Shaw, BGA President & CEO The following editorial by BGA President & CEO Andy Shaw appeared in the May 13 Chicago Tribune—read it here. Mayor Richard Daley’s request for a security detail after he leaves office creates a … Continue reading

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Filed under Andy Shaw, Commentary

Inspector General to ‘Open Chicago’ With New Transparency Initiative

By Andy Shaw, BGA President & CEO Today I’m watching another group that watches the behavior of public officials and their governments—the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (IGO)—which just announced a new transparency initiative dubbed “Open Chicago.” This … Continue reading

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Filed under Andy Shaw, Transparency

Kennedy Challenges BGA on Police Protection for Politicians

By Andy Shaw, BGA President & CEO The following commentary was published this weekend in the Chicago Sun-Times. >> Click here to read Chris Kennedy’s letter to me about police bodyguard details for politicians. Christopher Kennedy, president of the Merchandise … Continue reading

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Filed under Andy Shaw, Commentary

Sorry, Seniors — We Were All Taken For A Ride

By Andy Shaw, BGA President & CEO The BGA loves seniors. In fact, some of us watchdogs wear the gray mantle proudly. But the old saying that “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” actually rings true in this … Continue reading

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Filed under Andy Shaw, Commentary

I.G. Joe: Ferguson’s truth-squad unearths troubling furlough findings

By Andy Shaw, BGA President & CEO Way to go Joe! The value of an independent inspector general free of political pressure is once again writ large as Chicago I.G. Joe Ferguson unearths reporting inaccuracies in the city’s employee furlough … Continue reading

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Filed under Andy Shaw, Commentary

‘Supreme’ awards ceremony a vital step in the BGA’s new journey

By Andy Shaw, BGA President & CEO What a difference 16 months makes. During that short span, the Better Government Association has embarked on an ambitious journey to become a more powerful force for reform and good government throughout Illinois. … Continue reading

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Filed under Andy Shaw, Events