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inside

2011 annual report
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FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
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MISSION & HISTORY
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I N V E S T I G AT I V E J O U R N A L I S M
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POLICY & ADVOCACY
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CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
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FINANCIALS IN SUMMARY
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B OA R D & STA F F
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FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO

CONTRIBUTORS

Dear Friends and Supporters of the BGA,
2011 was a year of tremendous growth and impact in our fight for a better
government. We saw significant progress in our push for a government that’s
honest, transparent and accountable. Just take a look at the numbers:
-

91 investigations released to the public
618 letters sent to lawmakers
543 citizen watchdogs trained
400 media appearances and mentions
23 civic engagement events
4 idea forums

In this annual report you’ll see highlights of one of the most exciting years in recent
BGA history. We broke investigations small and large, advocated for reforms and
engaged with hundreds of Illinois citizens. Our work touched on bad practices
within day-to-day government and tackled larger systemic issues, like pension
abuse, conflicts of interests, waste and wrongful convictions.
Most importantly, in 2011, we started to see a real impact from our work. Mayor
Rahm Emanuel cut hundreds of governmental credit cards and suspended
cash payments for unused sick days after the BGA reported widespread abuse.
The Illinois Senate Criminal Law Committee held a public hearing to consider
criminal justice reforms after the BGA’s investigation, The High Costs of Wrongful
Convictions. Hundreds of citizens learned how to file Freedom
of Information Act requests and keep a watch on government.
Again and again, we saw immediate government response to
our investigations. We’re seeing change. And we’re seeing the
beginnings of a better government.
This impact would not be possible without you, the generous
supporters of the BGA. We thank you for your belief and your
confidence in our efforts to make a difference. We hope you
see the dividend of your investment right here in this annual
report.

Andy Shaw
President & CEO

 Dear Friends of the BGA,
A recent University of Illinois at Chicago study stigmatized Chicago as the most corrupt city in the nation. Whether true or not, it is the national
perception. And Chicagoans know in their hearts that while we may not be dead last on that list, we are low in the bottom tier. For years we thought
that Chicago corruption was the unfortunate byproduct of a city that works. In more prosperous times, when corruption cost a few percentage points
from a generous budget, it was easily excused as the regrettable grease that had always made sure the garbage was removed and flowers were
planted.
Is corruption indelibly a part of the Chicago DNA? Are citizens doomed to perpetual manipulation by public officials who spend taxpayer dollars as
if they were their own? While the answer is no to both questions, the remedy requires effort, resources and perseverance. Fiscally, if not morally,
corruption must end. Our governments are broke. The first casualty in eliminating deficits must be corruption and waste, not education or health
care for the elderly.
Changing the collective attitude of indifference to corruption is not easy. To effect the corruption cure, citizens need to educate themselves, become
more skeptical of past practices, care more about our children’s future and invest in exposing and eliminating corruption. On behalf of the BGA,
we’re thankful that you have become our partner in this quest to clean up our government.
Since 1923, the BGA has been exposing waste, fraud and corruption by public officials. For many years, the BGA campaigned with limited resources
in relentless pursuit of those who betrayed the public trust. Despite some public indifference and scorn from dishonest officials, the BGA used its
limited resources to expose fraud and speak the painful truth to power. Though our resources were never enough to confront all of the corruption we
suspected, we shined our light on the worst of it. It was better to light a candle than curse the darkness.
But, as the BGA grows, we know that with a thousand spotlights we can create illumination. Our candlepower is growing every day. As the BGA’s
beacons brighten, we are forcing more and more corruption from the shadows, but we still have a long way to go. Many news organizations have cut
back or eliminated their investigative reporting, but the problems aren’t shrinking. The BGA is growing in prominence as an enemy of corruption,
and we could not do this without the thousands of concerned citizens who have come forward and joined our fight by donating their ideas, time and
dollars.
The BGA knows that an army of informed and concerned citizens is a great weapon against public corruption. So in addition to
investigating and exposing corruption, the BGA is also educating the public in their rights and offering solutions.
We thank you for what you did in 2011 to help make our government more transparent and honest, holding accountable those who
are not. We are on the path to transforming our government to become responsible, fair and clean.
We hope you continue to help the BGA shine a light on government. And together, let’s create dazzling illumination.

H. Roderic Heard
Chair   Board of Directors
B E T T E R G OV E R N M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N   2 01 1 A N N U A L R E P O R T

 BGA Mission

The BGA promotes integrity, transparency and
accountability in government by exposing waste,
fraud and corruption, promoting effective public
policy and engaging the community.

“The BGA is the link between those that want to
affect government and the government itself.
There’s nothing like it anywhere else in the
country. BGA has been an important pillar of
strength for Chicago. And Chicago is a greater
city and Illinois a greater state because of all of
the work the BGA has done.”
60 Minutes and CBS News Anchor Scott Pelley
speaking at the 2011 Annual BGA Luncheon

 BGA History
The BGA was founded in 1923 to protect the integrity
of the political process in Chicago. Through the 1920s
and again in the 1960s, the organization focused on
combating massive fraud in Chicago’s elections. For
its first 30 years, the BGA pursued an active program
of voter education, election reform and encouragement
of efficient government. In 1957, the BGA took on a
major new role by adopting a policy that placed the
emphasis on investigative work, leading to some of
the most significant journalistic exposés published in
Illinois. Among the most noted was the Mirage Tavern
investigation (conducted in conjunction with the Chicago
Sun-Times and 60 Minutes), which documented the
systemic corruption that plagued small businesses
through government shakedowns and payoffs.
In 2009, the Board of Directors decided to reorganize
the BGA by expanding its mission and building its
resources in an effort to strengthen its role as a force for
government reform. Under the leadership of Andy Shaw,
the BGA has developed a comprehensive agenda that
combines in-depth journalistic investigations, along with
advocacy and strategic civic engagement campaigns, to
effectively educate and mobilize citizens across the state
of Illinois in pursuit of better government.
Commemorating the BGA’s profound evolution,
the organization unveiled a new logo in 2011. A
comprehensive design process, involving interviews with
staff, board members and supporters, led to the logo’s
creation. This new logo encapsulates the BGA’s
mission--to shine a light on government and hold
public officials accountable. A secondary image for the
BGA’s Watchdog Training Program pays homage to the
organization’s longtime mascot, the bulldog.
B E T T E R G OV E R N M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N   2 01 1 A N N U A L R E P O R T

 Investigative Program
The BGA filed nearly 100 investigations in 2011, a far higher number than any
year in recent memory. In a significant step for the organization, this year marked
the initiation of RESCUING ILLINOIS, an ongoing series of in-depth reports about
improving and reforming state government. RESCUING ILLINOIS investigations
focus on the state’s systemic problems and offer suggestions on what can be done
to solve them. These reports, however, haven’t slowed the BGA’s day-to-day, hardhitting investigations of local and state government. The Investigative Unit had an
impressive 2011, with countless results stemming from their investigations.

“For over 6 months the Better Government Association and FOX Chicago News
have investigated irregularities in personal expenditures and hiring at the
Chicago Park District. Their findings included a department head who issued
a fitness contract to his live-in girlfriend, hiring of the city’s Fleet Management
Director recently fired for demolishing a city car while drunk and abuse of travel
expenses by the superintendent and the chief of staff. On May 31 (2011), Tim
Mitchell resigned as superintendent and will leave the post sometime in June.”
Friends of the Parks

 Rescuing Illinois

Investigations focusing on policy and systemic change

April & September 2011

Sticker Shock: Platinum Pensions for State Pols and Community College Retirees

In the first investigation of the RESCUING ILLINOIS project, the BGA looked at the millions of dollars in pension
benefits guaranteed to former state workers. Investigators found thousands of retired politicians and educators are
reaping bounteous pensions that often greatly exceed what they’ve paid into the system. The BGA also exposed that the
cost to taxpayers will spiral out of control unless major public pension reforms are implemented in Illinois.
June 2011

The High Costs of Wrongful Convictions

This seven-month BGA investigation with the Center on Wrongful Convictions found that 85 cases of wrongful
conviction have cost Illinois taxpayers $214 million since 1976. Innocent men and women served a total of 926 years
for crimes they did not commit. Investigators discovered that in 95 percent of the cases examined alleged government
misconduct contributed to the wrongful convictions.
November 2011

Why Townships Don’t Add Up

In this special investigation, the BGA took a hard look at the value of townships. Spawned in the late 1800s, township
governments in suburban Cook County continue to subsidize political fiefdoms of minimal value, despite growing
evidence that many townships have outlived their benefit to the public.
November 2011

Illinois Human Rights Commission: Top Pay, Benefits for Part-Timers

This marked the first in a series of investigations exploring taxpayer-supported boards and commissions that–in many
cases–are soft landings for politically connected insiders who rake in generous salaries and benefits for minimal work.

B E T T E R G OV E R N M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N   2 01 1 A N N U A L R E P O R T

 BGA Journalistic Investigations
June 2011

Emmanuel Cuts City Agency Credit Card Use After BGA/FOX Investigation

Mayor Rahm Emanuel cancelled hundreds of city credit cards after BGA investigations exposed many were being used for pricey hotels and
restaurants, first-class travel and generous gifts.
June 2011

Suburban Mayor Living ‘Country Club’ Lifestyle, Courtesy of Taxpayers

This BGA/WGN-TV investigation shined a light on Mayor Dwight W. Welch and his hefty expense account. He said he “spends money to
make money” for this south suburban town, but village trustees accused him of using hard-earned tax dollars like a personal slush fund.
September 2011

Four Towns Owe Chicago More than $15 Million for Water

BGA investigators discovered that four municipalities owe cash-strapped Chicago more than $15 million in overdue water bills, part of a
grand total of $47 million in unpaid water bills.
October 2011

Utilities Brighten Up IL Legislators’ Campaign Funds

A BGA analysis found ComEd and Ameren donated more than $1.3 million in the months leading up to the approval of the ‘Smart Grid’ bill
they championed. The Sun-Times published a compelling editorial in the aftermath of the news.
October 2011

Top Rahm Aid Set Herself Up for Sweet CTA Pension

A joint BGA/Crain’s probe revealed that mayoral Chief of Staff Theresa Mintle helped craft a pension-sweetening deal that promises her a
$65,000 CTA pension after just eight years of service.
December 2011

City Treasurer Uses Police Security Detail for Personal Business

BGA investigators working with FOX Chicago News found that Chicago Treasurer Stephanie Neely was using her police perk for more than
city business.

 Policy Program
In its first full year in existence, the BGA’s Policy Unit made great strides in shaping the discussion, both in Chicago and in Springfield,
about ways to improve our government. The policy and advocacy team were on the forefront of our state’s key issues, relaying them back
to BGA followers and members on the Think Tank blog and in the media. New in 2011, the BGA’s Action Center allows supporters and
followers to connect directly with lawmakers to effect change around policy issues. There were several main initiatives on which the Policy
Unit focused in 2011.
Streamlining Government

The BGA started off 2011 off by asking whether Chicago should cut the size of its city council, a question that gained momentum and was
even discussed in the mayoral race. A BGA analysis of the 10 most populous cities in the country revealed that, compared to Chicago, each
have a higher number of constituents represented by each city council seat.

Freedom of Information Act

The BGA fought hard in 2011 to prevent Illinois from chipping away at the Freedom of Information Act. The policy and advocacy team used
the BGA’s e-advocacy tool for the first time to connect citizens to their lawmakers to urge them to vote “no” on broad changes that would
limit the public’s right to access information.

Wrongful Conviction Reform

Following the BGA’s comprehensive 2011 investigation into wrongful convictions, the BGA held a subject matter hearing in the Senate
Criminal Law Committee, bringing together experts, lawmakers, advocates and victims of wrongful conviction to discuss reform.

Support for a Strong Office of the Inspector General

In 2011, the BGA called on Mayor Emanuel to give Chicago Inspector General Joe Ferguson the powers outlined for him in the law.

Public Pension Reform

In the wake of the BGA’s many investigations shining a light on the public pension crisis, the policy and advocacy team called attention to
areas for pension reform.

Greater Financial Accountability

The BGA provided best practice guidance for local governments struggling with regulating procurement processes.

Township Reform

Coinciding with the BGA’s investigations into the value of townships, the Policy Unit advocated for township reform.
B E T T E R G OV E R N M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N   2 01 1 A N N U A L R E P O R T

 Civic Engagement
Citizen Watchdog Training Program
The BGA Citizen Watchdog Training Program trained more than 500 people in
2011, the program’s second year in existence. The BGA held programs throughout
the state, while also expanding online resources, like an Open Meetings Act
(OMA) video, for those who can’t attend training seminars in person.
With generous funding from the Field Foundation of Illinois, the BGA launched
the Citizen Watchdogs of Education program and held six training seminars
across the city of Chicago. This program is designed to empower parents and
community members to get more engaged in the administration of their local
public schools. The BGA partnered with experts from Catalyst Chicago and PURE
to teach parents how to obtain and read school budgets and participate in the
Local School Council (LSC) process, along with a November partnership with the
Chicago Westside NAACP.
Following on the success of 2010, in 2011, the BGA continued to host free FOIA
Clinics with the assistance of attorneys from Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, and the
Center for Open Government at Chicago-Kent College of Law. The BGA held
FOIA Clinics in February, June and September of 2011. After attending the
BGA’s June FOIA Clinic, four Maywood residents whose FOIA request had been
denied were represented by the BGA’s pro bono attorneys. In reaction to the
lawsuit, BGA investigators ramped up coverage of corruption in Maywood, and
the BGA’s Citizen Watchdog Training hosted a session for Maywood residents in
December.

“It is often whistleblowers, not the media exclusively, who
create change... As I often remind myself: Loudmouths
make the world go ‘round.”
Reporter Kristen McQueary in a Southtown Star
column on the BGA’s Watchdog Training Program

 2011 Watchdog Training Highlights
Joliet Junior College in Will County was home to the first Citizen
Watchdog Training outside of Chicago. As in all BGA training seminars, speakers taught
attendees about the “tools of transparency,” the Open Meetings Act (OMA) and the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA). National award-winning watchdog Brian Costin was a special guest,
sharing his ideas on how to make government more transparent and efficient.
February & March 2011  

April 2011  The BGA traveled to Springfield to host its first-ever downstate Citizen Watchdog

Training. Michael Luke, counsel to the Illinois Attorney General, gave a comprehensive
presentation on the OMA. A video is posted on the BGA website.

April 2011  With generous support from the Field Foundation of Illinois, the BGA launched its

Citizen Watchdogs of Education program, with the inaugural session in Englewood.
May 2011 

The Watchdogs of Education program hosted its second installment in Pilsen. Local
activists from throughout the Pilsen and Little Village communities gathered to hear an in-depth
overview of the Local School Councils law. Attendees also learned community organizing methods
from Raise your Hand for Illinois Public Education.
August 2011 

In a Watchdog Training session in Oak Park/River Forest, the BGA partnered
with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office for an in-depth presentation on the OMA. You can look
at an overview of the presentation on the AG’s website.
August 2011 

Joining with a local community center, the BGA hosted a pre-school year
Watchdogs of Education session in Albany Park. In spite of the heat, a local group of concerned
citizens gathered to ask Wanda Hopkins from PURE questions about school budgets and
principal responsibilities.
September 2011

The BGA headed to Lawndale for a Watchdogs of Education session and hosted

B E T T E R G OV E R N M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N   2 01 1 A N N U A L R E P O R T

 Sarah Karp, deputy editor of Catalyst Chicago, who compared school segment reports from
neighboring schools and taught parents about the intricacies of “discretionary/supplementary”
funding.
The BGA partnered with the Union League Club of Chicago to host a Watchdog
Training session in downtown Chicago. A mix of business professionals, club members and
concerned citizens came together to learn about the FOIA and OMA appeals processes.
October 2011

Watchdogs of Education traveled to the South Side neighborhood of Greater
Grand Crossing. In addition to covering standard education issues, questions were raised
regarding the extended school day initiative, the 2012 CPS budget deficit and aldermanic
involvement in local schools.
October 2011

The Chicago Westside NAACP hosted the BGA’s Watchdogs of Education
session at its 2011 Fall Parent Conference. More than 50 parents gathered in the Austin
neighborhood to hear BGA presentations, along with presentations from the U.S. Department
of Education Office of Civil Rights.
November 2011

In response to a number of recent BGA investigations into corruption in
Maywood and the surrounding villages, the BGA hosted a Watchdog Training session in
Maywood. More than 75 concerned citizens attended, learning how to keep an even closer eye
on the village’s public officials and connecting with the BGA staff on potential investigations.
young
December 2011

“I became involved as a BGA watchdog after seeing firsthand how local
governments try to keep people in the dark about their dealings, salaries, political
contributions--the list could go on and on. The BGA helps the average citizen keep
an eye on their towns and villages.”
Barbara Piltaver, BGA Citizen Watchdog

 Citizen Education
& Communication Programs
In its commitment to responsible civic engagement that keeps the public informed
with reliable facts, in-depth information and thoughtful perspectives, the BGA
worked tirelessly to spread the message of better government across Illinois.
Through Andy Shaw’s outreach, traditional media and social media, a new
membership initiative, forums and events and the organization’s website, the
BGA reached thousands of citizens in 2011, educating them on developments
in local and state government, providing information for whistleblowers and
stimulating public debate.
The BGA had nearly 400 media hits in 2011. From June through December,
the BGA had more than 300 stories, mentions and appearances on TV, radio,
newspapers and the web. In the past year, the BGA’s coverage steadily expanded
outside Chicago, with reports in Springfield and Rockford and even beyond-on MSNBC, CNBC, in the Christian Science Monitor, Sydney Morning Herald
and the Ethiopian Times. The BGA’s strongest reach, however, remains in the
Chicagoland area. Regular media partners include:

Print: Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald,
The Southtown Star, Crain’s Chicago Business
TV: CBS 2, FOX Chicago News, WGN, ABC 7, NBC5
Radio: WBBM Newsradio, WLS, WGN,
WVON, WTAX-Springfield
Web: The Huffington Post, Gapers Block,
Windy Citizen, Chicagoist, Capitol Fax
B E T T E R G OV E R N M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N   2 01 1 A N N U A L R E P O R T

 BGA Digital Strategy
In 2011, the BGA’s first full-year of utilizing its new website, the digital efforts focused more
clearly on the organization’s goals: results and reform, user engagement, community building and
fundraising. The BGA’s emphasis in 2010 had been on making its digital presence
functional--in 2011 the focus shifted to making it effective. Web traffic more than doubled in 2011.
A new community manager upgraded the BGA’s Facebook and Twitter channels, allowing for more
productive conversations with members, supporters and partners and building new relationships on
the web.
Each of the BGA’s five in-depth investigations that was part of the RESCUING ILLINOIS project
was presented in a custom, dynamic web package. The first, Sticker Shock, gave the BGA a
great opportunity to extend its content presentation; in the second, The High Costs of Wrongful
Convictions, the digital team made improvements and extended functionality. The traditional
written narrative was complemented with multimedia (video, photo slideshow, documents,
illustrations and databases) interactive pieces (social media sharing, commenting) and reformcentric sections. The BGA also launched added capabilities on the website, including a commenting
functionality, an events calendar and in-story modules with relevant tools and information. BGA
on Air is a newly created section, where web visitors can check out the BGA’s regular TV and radio
appearances.
The BGA digitally branched out in many new directions. Two Tumblr pages were created–one for
tracking results from BGA investigations and the other for documenting the second Blagojevich
trial. The BGA also live-streamed two events on its website. The first was a roundtable discussion
on investigative journalism, and the second was Andy Shaw’s conversation with Mayor Rahm
Emanual on good government. Both discussions featured questions from the BGA members,
supporters and visitors.
In a significant step for advocacy, the BGA web and policy teams launched the Action Center in
2011, a digital way to empower and mobilize Illinois citizens around better government initiatives.
This tool will continue to be refined and expanded in the coming years.

 2011 Budget
$1,640,000

Income
▀
▀
▀
▀
▀

Foundations = 40%
Annual Event = 27%
Major Donors = 15%
Individual Members and Donors = 10%
Corporations = 8%

Expenses
▀
▀
▀
▀
▀
▀

Investigations = 50%
Communications and Media = 15%
Policy = 4%
Civic Engagement = 3%
Administration = 16%
Development = 12%

B E T T E R G OV E R N M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N   2 01 1 A N N U A L R E P O R T

 STAFF
Andy Shaw

President & CEO

Rita McLennon

Chief Operating Officer

Robert Reed

Director of Programming & Investigations

John Conroy
Jessica Curry
James Edwards
Robert Herguth
Solomon Lieberman
Alden Loury
Barbara Macholz
Joseph Malinowski
Emily Miller
Mary Frances O’Connor
Patrick Rehkamp
Andrew Schroedter
Emma Smith

INTERNS
Sophia Bairaktaris
Mark Bergen
Kathryn Chimienti
Sam Cuomo
Niema Darcy
Adeshina Emmanuel
Marcy Farrey
Mari Grigaliunas
Jake Grubman
Emily Jurlina
Tania Karas
Diana Novak
Mary Jo Ola
Gregory Pratt
Taniesha Robinson
Rosemary Rojas
Mike Sandler
Ricardo Torres
Melanie Zanona

 2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
H. Roderic Heard
Chair

Phil Clement
Vice Chair

Margaret A. Daley

Vice Chair of Investigations

Kristofer Swanson

Development & Marketing Chair

Craig McCrohon
Secretary

Ted Hawkins
Treasurer

In Memoriam

John White
1919-2011

John White was a true champion of
honest government, having served as
a passionate BGA Board Member for
almost 50 years. We will miss John
tremendously, but his spirit and
leadership will continue to guide and
inspire our team as we push forward
for the clean, open government to
which we're entitled.

Tamara Askew

Jack Modzelewski

Francis Beidler III

James Newcomb

Eric Berlin

Rachel Niewoehner

Robert Carson

José Padilla

Patrick Coffey

Heidi Rudolph

Patrick Collins

Lisa C. Snow

Pedro DeJesus

Juliet Sorensen

Samuel Fifer

Robin Steans

Graham Grady

Lori Yokoyama

Jan Grayson

Senior Advisor

Hill Hammock

Jimmie Alford

Joseph Hasson
Scott Hodes

2011 LIFE TRUSTEES BOARD

David Hoffman

Howard Alper

Gary Kleinrichert

Seymour A. Cohen

Ludwig Kolman

Granger Cook, Jr.

Mary Lee Cullen Leahy

E. David Coolidge

David Lundy

William Donnell

Steve Miller

Melvin Katten
Jonathan Kovler
James Ratcliffe

B E T T E R G OV E R N M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N   2 01 1 A N N U A L R E P O R T

 Created in 2011, the BGA’s Civic
Leadership Committee consists of
highly respected members of the local
community. They have partnered with
the BGA to offer advice and aid with
strategic planning for the future of the
organization. The BGA is grateful to have
their time, effort and support.

2011

2011 CIVIC LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE

2011 YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD
David Coolidge and Melvin Katten
Co-Chairs

Jimmie Alford
Maree Bullock
Ronald Gidwitz
Christie Hefner
David Herro
Michael Keiser
Dr. Mona Khanna
Paul Levy
William Lowry
James Perry
J. B. Pritzker
Bruce Rauner
John Rogers
Arabel Alva Rosales
Brenda Russell
Harry Seigle
Laura Washington

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Nathan Kipp

Jade Lambert Routson
Daniel Lombard

Matthew Luzadder
Carrie Ruzicka

Jack Schwager

G. Scott Solomon
Matthew Topic

PRO BONO DONORS

Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Fleishman-Hillard

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Navigant Consulting
SNR Denton

Union League Club of Chicago
Vedder Price P. C.

 Foundations

The BGA was proud to host
renowned journalist Scott
Pelley, of 60 Minutes and
anchor of CBS News, as
its keynote speaker at
the 2011 Annual BGA
Luncheon. With nearly 800
people in attendance, Pelley
impressed the crowd with a
dynamic speech about the
importance of the BGA’s
work within the greater
scope of investigative
journalism.
“What a great country
we have today because of
organizations like the BGA-that elaborate, investigate
and hold public officials
accountable. That is the
only way we will reduce
that apathy in the country
and let people feel that they
have a voice... It is the only
way a great democracy can
survive.”
— Scott Pelley

Alphawood Foundation
Baskin Family Foundation
Edward and Rose Donnell
Foundation
Family Taxpayers Foundation
Francis Beidler III and
Prudence R. Beidler
Foundation
Fred J. Brunner Foundation
Greater Kansas City
Community Foundation
Hirsch-Schwartz Foundation
J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family
Foundation
Kovler Family Foundation
Seigle Family Foundation
The Field Foundation of
Illinois
The John R. Houlsby
Foundation
The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
The Louise H. Landau
Foundation
The McCormick Foundation
The Richard H. Driehaus
Charitable Lead Trust
The Richard H. Driehaus
Foundation
The Robert Thomas Bobins
Foundation
United Conveyor Foundation

THANK
YOU

Corporations and
Law Firms

Accurate Felt & Gasket
Company
Aileron Communications, Inc.
Alper Services, LLC
Americaneagle.com
Aon Corporation
Ariel Investments, LLC
ASGK Public Strategies, LLC.
Baker & McKenzie LLP
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Bryan Cave LLP
Burke, Warren, MacKay &
Serritella, P.C.
CBS News
Chicago Cubs Baseball Club
Chicago Sun-Times
Contour Landscaping, Inc.
Crain's Chicago Business
DePaul University
Duff & Phelps
Exelon Corporation
Figel Public Relations LLC
Fleishman-Hillard
FOX Chicago News

Franczek Radelet P.C.
Gould & Ratner LLP
Hill & Knowlton
Irene Overman Kreer &
Associates, Inc.
Jascula Terman and Associates,
Inc.
Jones Day
K & L Gates LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Kroll
Leahy Law Offices
Liberty Property Management
Company
Lincoln Park Chamber of
Commerce
Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Navigant Consulting
NBC 5 Chicago
Northern Trust Company
Perkins Coie
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC
Providus Chicago, Ltd.
Res Publica Group

Robert Half Legal
Sacks Family Foundation
Safeway Insurance Co.
Sara Lee Corporation
Sidley Austin LLP
SNR Denton US LLP
Soar
Tampico Beverages, Inc.
The Boeing Company Charitable
Trust
The Inland Real Estate Group of
Companies Inc.
The Nielsen Company
Ungaretti & Harris LLP
Union League Club of Chicago
University Center
Varga Berger Ledsky Hayes &
Casey
Vedder Price
William Blair & Company
WLS-TV 7
Woodlawn Community
Development Corp.
Yokoyama & Associates, PC

B E T T E R G OV E R N M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N   2 01 1 A N N U A L R E P O R T

 Individual Donors
Darrow Abrahams
Wendy and Jim Abrams
Sergio Acosta
Paul Adams
Dirk Ahlbeck
Jimmie Alford and
Maree Bullock
Jim Allen
Howard Alper
Louis and Stephanie
Altman
Wayne Andersen
Jill Anderson
Anthony Arendt
Tamara Askew
Peggy Asseo
Amy Avakian
Ed Bachrach
Barbara Badger and
Robert Kudder
Carolyn Baer
Paul Baker
Elizabeth Ballis
Robert Barnett
Karl Barnickol
Matt Baron
Patrick Barrett
Bruce Barron
Sheldon Baskin and
Judy Wise

Frederick Bates
Frank Bauer
Michael Bauer
Michael Bayles
Mary and Louis Bedell
Francis and Prudence
Beidler
Robert Beisen
David Bellwood
Dennis Benard
Donald Bence
Peter Bensinger
Marjorie Craig and Charles
Benton
Alicia Berg
Eric Berlin
Harold Bernay
Gerald Bernson
Ira and Susan Bernstein
John Beuhler
America Bible
Jamie Binder
Scott Birmingham
Robert Black
Sandra Blau
Phillip D and Judith S Block
Stephen and Nancy Bloom
Brigg Bloomquist
Patricia Blumen
Thaddeus and Beverly
Bojanowski
Valerie Bomar

George Borovik
Donna Braden
Patrick Brady
Judith Brewer
Noelle and David Brock
Kris Brown
Ralph and Rona Brown
Eugene Broyls
Eileen Bryant
William Bucholtz
George Burditt
Rebecca Busch
Craig Busey
Amber Buycks
Steve Cain
Kenneth and Karen S. Calvin
Joanne Campanile
Kyle Campbell
Rose Campbell
John Canning
Ray Capitanini
Margaret Carey
Holly Carnell
Sandra Carolan
Robert Carson
Margaret Cartier
John Cartland
Dolores Caruso
Mary Ann Casale
Daniel Casey and Dolores
Connolly

THANK
YOU

Last spring, the BGA was proud to announce the winners of
the 2011 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for
Investigative Reporting, the second annual event. Chosen
from an impressive number of submissions, the winners’
stories are all exemplary of investigative reporting.
First Place Award
Bob Segall, Bill Ditton & Cyndee Hebert
“Reality Check: Where are the Jobs?”
WTHR-TV Indianapolis
Second Place Award
Mick Dumke & Ben Joravsky
“The Shadow Budget: Who Wins Daley’s TIF Game?”
Chicago Reader
Third Place Award
Brian Brueggemann & Mike Fitzgerald
“Tax Buyers, Politicians Benefit from Tax Sales”
Belleville News-Democrat
Meritorious Award for Commitment
to Investigative Journalism

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

 In July of 2011, the BGA Young
Professionals Board (YPB) hosted
a summer fundraising event, an
evening at the Billy Goat Tavern
dedicated to the discussion
of journalism, benefiting the
establishment of the Dan Sprehe
Memorial Chair within the
BGA’s investigative unit. Dan
was a former BGA investigator
who, at 32, passed away in 2010
from complications related to
diabetes. The evening was a
success, and the BGA YPB has
pledged to make this an annual
event.

Michael Cason
Harold Cattron
Jack Caveney
Mike Charewicz
Alvin and Rita Chester
Joseph and Barbara
Chevalier
Russell Chibe
Casey Chism
Brian Chmiel
Karen Christiansen
Jean Churchman
Assad Clark
Dennis Clark
Jesse Clark
Phil Clement
Robert Clifford
Patrick Coffey
Bruno Cohen
Seymour Cohen
Lynn Cohn
Rosemary and Dennis
Colbert
Michael Cole
Toni Coleman-Scruggs
Louise Collins
Patrick Collins
Paula Conrad
Thomas Conrardy
Granger Cook, Jr
David Coolidge

THANK
YOU
Leslie Corbett
Philip Corboy
Arthur and Judith Coren
Terri Cornelius
John Corry
John Cortese
Jane Coscia
Jane Cosica
Amy Crawford
Christopher Cronin
Thomas Crosbie
Lester Crown
Lynn Cutler
Alan Czarnik
Angela D’Aversa
Laura Dahl
Margaret Daley
Vince Daley
Madlyn Daniel
Bruce and Laurie Davidson
Brooks Davis
Roger and Julie Davis
Kathy Deane
Karina DeHayes
Pedro DeJesus
Patrick DeLacey
Bernard Delgiorno
Michael Dennis
Alex DePalma
John Dern
Carol Derner

Brian DeWolf
Leonora Dickson
Carrie Distler
Paulette Dodson
Florence Dolan
William Donnell
James Donnelley
Bethany Drucker
Henrietta DuBois
Michael Duggan
Mary Eads
Donald Eckler
Gary Elden and Phyllis
Mandler
Allen Eliot
Paul Embree
Jill Emerson
Julie Emms
Linda Englund
Deborah Epstein
Mark Erickson
Stephanie Evans
Caryl Ewing
Janice Feinberg
Clifton and Judith Fenton
Mark Ferguson
Stanley Ferguson
Clark W. Fetridge
Samuel Fifer
Leon Finney
Robert Firlit

B E T T E R G OV E R N M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N   2 01 1 A N N U A L R E P O R T

Janet S. Fisher
Richard Fitzgerald
Selvyn Fletcher, Jr.
Bob Fogel
Lisa Fontoura
Joseph Fosco
Richard Fowler
Mary Fox
Rick Fox
Kimberly Foxx
Paul Francuch
Bud Frankel
Mark Fredrickson
Gregory Friedman
Jeffrey Frisch
Roger and Madelon
Fross
Theodore Froum
Robert and Barbara
Fullone
Mark Furlong
Leonard A. Gail and
Robin M. Steans
Dianne Galat
Christopher
Gallinari
Robert Galvin
Judie Garcia
Shirley Garland
Samuel and
Dorothy Gatto
Rosemaria Genova

 THANK
YOU

Tom & Diane Geraghty
Joy Germont
Michael Gervasio
Robert Gialamas
Sheila Gidley
Ronald Gidwitz
Allen Giedraitis
Richard Gilford
Bertha Gimbel
Larry Ginsburg
Marvin Glass
John Glassgow
Therese Glatzhofer
Ron Gleason
Laurie Glenn
Thomas Godfrey
William Gofen
Jack Goggin
Arthur and Jacqueline
Goldberg
Mitchell Goldberg
Stephen Goldberg
Howard and Enid
Golden
Thomas Golden
Kenneth Gorenberg
Sarah Gorrell
Barbara Gosh
Thomas Gradel
Graham Grady
Thomas and Ann Grant

Jan Grayson
Carol and M. Howard Greene
John Greene
Jane Grevin
Marguerite Griffin
Michael Griffin
David Grossman
Fran Grossman
Ronald and Audrey
Grzywinski
Joseph Gurga
Melvin Guthrie
Ann Gutierrez
Donald Hahn
Marj Halperin
Tom Halpin
M. Hill Hammock
Robert Hanaford
Steve Hannah
Per K. and Blanche P.
Hanson
Joseph Hasson
Paul Hauser
Harriet Hausman
Ted Hawkins
H. Roderic Heard
Dennis and Elizabeth
Hebson
M. Theodore Heinecken
Richard Heise
Theodor Hengesbach
Susan Henry

S. Scott Hensley
David Herro
John and Rachel Heuman
Dave Hicks
Richard and Joyce Hirsch
Robert Hirsch
Colleen Hock
David Hodapp
Scott Hodes
Thomas Hodson
David Hoffman
John Holden
Colette Holt
Vicki and Bill Hood
James Horvath
William Howard
Raymond & Laurie Howick
Theresa Hughes
Ben Hulse
Pat and Jim Hunt
Kaija Hupila
Susan and James Hurst
Mary Hynes
Bruce Iglauer
Maggie Jablonski
Cheryle Jackson
Peter Jacobs
Harry Jaffe
Catherine James
Martha Jantho
Louise Jarog

Howard Jessen
Leroy and Karen Johnson
James Jones
Thomas Jones
Jim Kanichirayil
Ronald Katch
Melvin Katten
Justin Kay
Meryl Kay
Michael and Rosalind Keiser
Jeffrey Kendzierski
Mary Kensik
Anne Kimball and Peter
Stern
Blaine Kimrey
David Kinnear
Katherine Kirby
Thomas Kirk and Christine
Hankus Kirk
Gary Kleinrichert
Greg Kobelinski
Mary Koczorowski
Jennifer Koehler
Keith and Claire Koeneman
David Kohn
Ludwig Kolman
Jonathan Kovler
John Krupka
Walter Kubon
Linda Kuczka
Duane Kullberg

In January of 2011, the BGA was pleased
to announce a $1 million matching gift
from the Richard H. Driehaus Charitable
Lead Trust in support of the BGA’s
RESCUING ILLINOIS project and to
promote honest, efficient and transparent
government through investigative
journalism, public policy advocacy and
civic engagement.
"The BGA reminds public officials—with
vigorous investigations, realistic reform
proposals and tireless outreach—that
these are our tax dollars, not theirs,"
said Mr. Driehaus. "We are at a critical
moment, with government in crisis at all
levels, and the BGA represents one of our
best hopes for achieving more fairness,
accountability, integrity, transparency and
honesty from our public officials."
The Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead
Trust will match every dollar raised by
the BGA up to $1 million over a threeyear period. BGA President and CEO
Andy Shaw said the Driehaus grant will
underwrite BGA projects aimed at ending
patronage, waste, duplication, inefficiency
and corruption in Chicago and throughout
the state.

 George Kwak
John and Kay Kyle
John La Marre
Brannon Lambert
Regina LaMonica
Sheldon Landy
Herb Laney
Gordon and Clara V. Lang
Michael LaPorte
Andrew and Diane
Lappin
Norman Lathrop
Ronald and Ann Latko
William Lawlor
David Lawrence-Lupton
Mary Lee Leahy
Ed Lefevour
Kenneth and Lucy
Lehman
Mark Levey
Robert Levin
Paul Levy
Roland Ley
Jack and Marilyn
Lieberman
Solomon Lieberman
Charles Liebman
Robert B. Lifton
Nancy Lindsay
Grant Linsky
Robert Lipton
Tom Livingston

Gail Lobin
Peter and Susan Lock
Dirk and Cathy Lohan
Daniel Lombard
Robert Long
Henry Lorsch
William Lowry
Ramiro Lozano
Helen Lucaitis
David Lundy
George Luscombe
Matthew Luzadder
James Mabie
Gary MacDougal
Meredith Mack
John Mackanin
John Maggi
Dean Maggos
Donna Makowski
Sonya Malunda
Joel Mandelbaum
Steven Mandell
Robert Manor
Susan Manos
Shehnaz Mansuri
Lois Marchini
Kimberly Marinaro
Sheryl Markman
Elizabeth Mason
Richard and Roslyn Mateles
Thomas Mathews

Eric Matrejek
Conrad Maurer
Robert Mayer
Glenn Mazade
Paul McCarthy
T.J. McCarthy
Michael McCluggage
Craig McCrohon
Karla McGhee
Richard and Florine McKay
Gloria McKeague
Kathleen McKenna-Cooper
A. Cameron McKinney
John McLean
Steven McShane
Stephen Melonides
Rita Meltzer
Charles and Wanda
Menghini
Mark Mesle
Paul Mesnick
Jeanette Mihalec
Wilbur Milhouse
Robert and Linda Miller
Steven Miller
Mark Mitchell
Jack Modzelewski
Michael Monico
Tracy Monko
Bill Mooney
Noel and Rosalyn Moore
Riley and Sara Morgan

Robert Morris
Corinne Morrissey
Margaret Moses
Sarah Moskowitz
Grove Mower
Barbara Mueller
William Muenster
Kristin Munsch
Ruth Munson
David M. Murdoch
Edmund Murphy
Mary Ann Murphy
Ryan Musgrave
James Musker
John and Joan Myers
Sarah Nadelhoffer
Esfand Nafisi
Emanuela Nakova
Roger Nelson
Charlotte Newberger
James Newcomb
Grace Allen Newton
Anthony Nichols
Rachel Niewoehner
Nikki Nocera
Seymour Nordenberg
Howard O’Connor
Mary O’Connor
Nancy O’Connor
Bud O’Connor
Maura O’Hara

Daniel O’Neil
Irene O’Neill
William J O’Neill
William O’Neill
Richard O’Toole
Jim Oberweis
John Obrecht
Ted Oppenheimer
Benjamin Orzeske
José Padilla
George and Margaret
Panagakis
Vincent Panzone
Charlie Parekh
Kathy Parker
John and Carolyn Nooner
Parmer
Gilda Parrella
Barbara Parson
David and Joan Parsons
Julia Parzen
Clark Passino
Dorice Pepin
Michael Perlstein
James and Mary Perry
Charles Peruchini
Gordon Peters
Sandra Petroshius
Bruce Pfaff
Barbara Piltaver
Monica Pinciak-Madden
Ryan Pisarik

Thomas Plating
Martin Plecki
Philip Pogue
Stanley Pollock
Kathy Posner
Joseph Power
Laurie Price
Richard Prins
Joshua Prober
Stanley Pruss
Stephen and Deborah
Quazzo
David E. and Beatrice L.
Radcliffe
David Radler
Paul Rafferty
Andrea Raila
Richard Rand
Cynthia Stone Raskin
Richard Raskin
James and Hildegund
Ratcliffe
John Rau
Bruce Rauner
Mack Reed
Robert and Janet Reed
Sandra Reese
Michael Regan
Ron and Serethea Reid
Miriam Reitz
Marilyn Rest
Constance Reynolds

THANK YOU
B E T T E R G OV E R N M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N   2 01 1 A N N U A L R E P O R T

 Thomas Reynolds
Kathryn Richards
Laura Ricketts
Daniel Riess
Jennifer Robbins
Cuyler Robinson
Joseph Robinson
Chris Robling
Patricia Rochelle
Phil Rock
Janice Rodgers
Dan Roffman
Desiree Rogers
George Rogge
Don Rose
Jamiko Rose
Debra Rosenberg
Warner Rosenthal
June Rosner
William Ross
Robert Roth
Robert Rothermel
Ryan and Jade Routson
Heidi Rudolph
Christopher Krzysztof
Rudzinski
Jesse Ruiz
Martin Runkle
Bill Russ
Allan Ruter
John Rutledge

Sue Rutsen
Carrie Ruzicka
Gerald Ryberg
Jennifer Sabella
Michael Sacks
Howard Saffold
Paul and Linda Saiger
Van Salmans
Charles Sample
Scott Sanders and Allison
Muscolino
Richard and Nancy Sauk
Jack Schmetterer
Herbert Schneiderman
Steven Scholes
Steven and Ellen Scholly
Stuart Schulman
Jack Schwager
Lucy Schwallie
Lauren Schwartz
Sheldon Schwartz
Alice Segal
Harry and Susan Seigle
Ashish Sen
Charles Sennet
Ulrich Senz
Dan Sharon
Sharon Shatkus
Kay Shelton
Michael Sheridan
Naved Siddique

Brian Simmons
Harry and Louise Simon
Dick Simpson
Ronald Sipiora
Andrew Slobodien
Charles L. Smead
Samantha Smith
Rowe Snider
Walter and Kathleen Snodell
Lisa Snow
Dave Snyder
Zig Sokolnicki
Michael Soler
Matthew Sollitto
G. Scott Solomon
Juliet Sorensen
Glen Spachman
David Sprehe
Ellen Sprehe
Michael Sprehe
Stephen Sprehe
Anne Marie St. Germaine
John Stachnik
Julie Stagliano
Vera Stamenkovich
Eileen Stancukas
Harrison and Lois Steans
Jonathan Stein
Nikki and Fredric Stein
Scott and Moira Stein
Louis and Rhona Stern

Kathleen Stetsko
John Stevens
Jay Stewart
Robert and Molly Stine
James Stirling
Mary Stith
Robert Stracks
David Strauss
Richard Sugar
Harold and Peggy Sutton
Kristofer Swanson
Seena Swibel
Quentin and Elinor Swiger
Arvin Talwar
Kelly Tarrant
Leonard Thigpen
Robert Thomas
Steven Tobin
Robert Topping
Anne Toulouse
M. Trees
Nancy Tryba
Ricky Tulsky
Edward Umbenhower
Jeremy Unruh
Vivian Vahlberg
Patricia Van Pelt
James L. Van Thorre
Maribeth Vander Weele
Paul Vergulak
John Vespo

Thomas Vicek
Donajean Vitale
Karl Voigt
Peter Voss and Janet Piper
Voss
Peter Wagner
Donald and Eleanor Walker
Edward Walker
Susan Walker
Margaret Warren
Robert Warskow
Ellen Wehrle
Wes Weidaw
Roberta Weinsheimer
Donald Weiss
Stewart Weiss
Nicole Wells
Andrew and Jill Werner
Chuck and Lynn Werner
Jay Westensee
Cheryl Whitaker
Christopher Whitaker
Charles Wiggins
Bruce Wilkens
Emmett Williams
Timothy Williams
Eli Williamson
Alan Wilson
Dori Wilson
Donald Wilson
Kenneth Winn

Luke Wojtasik
Arnold and Ann Wolff
Gary Wozny
Doug Wright
Lori Yokoyama
Barbara Young
Roberta Zabel
Gertrude Zaja
Robert and Barbara
Zaniolo
Zachary Ziliak
Robert Zofkie
Lisa Zulanas
John Zulaski

THANK YOU
B E T T E R G OV E R N M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N   2 01 1 A N N U A L R E P O R T