Better Government Association

The Better Government Association (BGA) is a non-profit organization located in Chicago that focuses on investigative journalism. Their work is directed by recently established guidelines for investigations and oversight. The BGA operates under the motto, “Shining a Light on Government.” The organization is managed by a board of directors and does not rely on government funding. Instead, it is sustained by support from foundations, corporations, law firms, significant donors, and private individuals.

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Contract Editor

1 month ago | bettergov.org | César Calderón |Geoffrey Cubbage

The Better Government Association’s BGA Policy is seeking a skilled and detail-oriented freelance Editor to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for copy editing, fact checking and providing input on research and analysis pieces produced by the BGA Policy Team. Key Responsibilities:Copy edit and proofread content to ensure accuracy, clarity and consistency in line with BGA’s editorial standards.
Department of Law - BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot

Dec 3, 2024 | bettergov.org | Geoffrey Cubbage

Snapshot: Appropriation & Staffing Changes from 2024 Budget2024 Budgeted2025 ProposedNet ChangePercent ChangeAppropriations$46,229,759$45,920,152-$309,607-0.7%Positions & FTEs427406-21-4.9%13 Law Clerk positions have been eliminated from the previous year’s budget. Assistant corporation counsel roles are also down a net -5 positions across various titles. Administrative assistant positions are up, with a net increase of seven positions across various titles and title changes.
Department of Procurement Services - BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot

Dec 3, 2024 | bettergov.org | Geoffrey Cubbage

Snapshot: Appropriation & Staffing Changes from 2024 Budget2024 Budgeted2025 ProposedNet ChangePercent ChangeAppropriations$14,605,398$13,978,092-$627,306-4.3%Positions & FTEs136131-5-3.7%The Department of Procurement Services’s budget increased significantly from 2021-2024, rising from $8.5 million in 2021 to a high of $14.6 million in 2024. DPS was one of only a small number of non-ARPA funded departments to see a dramatic increase over this period.
Department of Environment - BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot

Dec 2, 2024 | bettergov.org | Geoffrey Cubbage

2025 is the second budget to feature a Department of Environment as a standalone department. It appeared in the 2023 budget as the “Office of Climate and Environmental Equity,” with preliminary appropriations and positions for the department’s formation. This is therefore the first “snapshot” comparison of year-over-year changes for a fully active and budgeted Department of Environment.
Department of Administrative Hearings - BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot

Dec 2, 2024 | bettergov.org | Geoffrey Cubbage

The Department of Administrative Hearings is a quasi-judicial body authorized to administer hearings on ordinance violations that do not include a penalty of imprisonment. Administrative hearings offer an alternative to full court cases for low-level traffic violations, building code violations, and similar non-violent, city-level offenses.
Chicago Animal Care & Control - BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot

Dec 2, 2024 | bettergov.org | Geoffrey Cubbage

Snapshot: Appropriation & Staffing Changes from 2024 Budget2024 Budgeted2025 ProposedNet ChangePercent ChangeAppropriations$7,698,109$7,531,760-$166,349-2.2%Positions & FTEs8279-3-3.7%Budgeted headcount is down three, with one position each eliminated in the Animal Control Officer, Animal Care Aide I, and Veterinary Medical Manager titles. The latter title had only one budgeted position in the previous year, and has thus been entirely eliminated.
Chicago Board of Election Commissioners - BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot

Dec 2, 2024 | bettergov.org | Geoffrey Cubbage

The Board of Election Commissioners is established under state elections law and technically is part of the judicial branch, but receives operational funding from the City of Chicago. BoEC oversees Chicago’s polling places and ballot processes, including vote-by-mail.
City Treasurer - BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot

Dec 2, 2024 | bettergov.org | Geoffrey Cubbage

The city treasurer is one of three elected city-wide officials, along with the mayor and the clerk. The treasurer manages the city’s bank accounts, as well as its pension and investment funds.
Department of Human Resources - BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot

Dec 2, 2024 | bettergov.org | Geoffrey Cubbage

Snapshot: Appropriation & Staffing Changes from 2024 Budget2024 Budgeted2025 ProposedNet ChangePercent ChangeAppropriations$13,792,309$13,495,641-$296,668-2.2%Positions & FTEs134123-11-8.2%The Department of Human Resources remained at relatively steady budget and staffing levels from 2011 through 2022, when a Lightfoot-era push to ramp up staffing nearly doubled the department’s budgeted headcount.
Chicago Department of Transportation - BGA Policy 2025 Budget Snapshot

Nov 22, 2024 | bettergov.org | Geoffrey Cubbage

Snapshot: Appropriation & Staffing Changes from 2024 Budget2024 Budgeted2025 ProposedNet ChangePercent ChangeAppropriations$1,484,552,843$2,037,827,721$553,274,87837.3%Positions & FTEs15911576-15-0.9%CDOT is primarily grant funded, with substantial increases in federal and state grants accounting for most of this year’s budget increase. Most of the net -15 headcount reduction was achieved by eliminating a single budgeted position across a number of titles.