iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

NEW ANALYSIS: Which Chicago city departments stayed within budget? 💵 Most stayed within budget in 2025. 💵 One big exception: Chicago Police Department, which outspent its nearly $2 billion budget by roughly $146 million.

02612

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

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

010

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

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. RSVP here: bit.ly/4y3WFDl

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

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 here: bit.ly/4y3WFDl

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Hear the stories behind the headlines. Join Illinois Answers Project reporters for a behind-the-scenes conversation about how investigations give us the information we need to hold power accountable and create meaningful change. Be our guest! RSVP by Sept. 1 here: bit.ly/4ckta7W

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

For years, the @BetterGov Court Transparency Coalition pushed for transparency within Illinois courts. The state Supreme Court just approved a new policy that, based on testimony, will publish budgets, staffing data, court system info, OSPS metrics, and more. A step in the right direction.

010

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

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

impactforequity.org

Statement on Workforce Allocation Study | Impact for Equity

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

MEET THE FINALISTS: @blockclubchi.bsky.social Manny Ramos talks about his work, "Some Call It 'Death Hospital'," which is one of the large newsroom finalists of the 22nd Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting. Tickets: bit.ly/4triTgPhttps://bit.ly/4triTgP

021

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

@blockclubchi.bsky.social's Francia Garcia Hernandez and Madison Savedra are finalists for the 22nd Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting. Winners will be announced on May 7. Tickets: bit.ly/4triTgPhttps://bit.ly/4triTgP #Chicago #Illinois #ICE

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

BEYOND THE BYLINE: Our featured speaker is award-winning journalist Errin Haines, editor-at-large for The 19th, president of #NABJ and contributor at MS NOW. Get your tickets here: bit.ly/4triTgP

001

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

What's going on with prediction market platforms like #Polymarket and #Kalshi in #Illinois? Read our reporting here: bit.ly/4tmJc7w Our reporter, Casey Toner, joins NPR Illinois 91.9 UIS at 11 a.m. CT to talk about his findings. Tune in here bit.ly/489mWWC

010

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

Congratulations to the finalists for the 2026 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting! Their work is shaping the future of accountability journalism in Chicago and Illinois. bit.ly/4pVG4ND

072

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: This week, Chicago City Council passed an ordinance to create a working group, as the first step towards improving health and safety inspections of rental units. BGA Policy played a key role, as a steering member of the Chicago Healthy Homes Ordinance coalition.

bettergov.org

City Council Approves Proactive Rental Inspection Working Group

Chicago’s city council today passed an ordinance establishing a working group to research, evaluate, and issue recommendations regarding health and safety inspections of rental units. The ordinance w...

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Passed in committee today: a BGA-backed ordinance to establish a Healthy Homes Working Group focused on proactive building and safety inspections in Chicago. Next step: passage by city council on Wed. 3/18!

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

📣 We’re thrilled to welcome award-winning journalist @errinhaines.bsky.social as our featured speaker at Beyond the Byline! A founding editor and editor-at-large at @19thnews.org, Errin brings powerful insight on race, gender and politics to the conversation. RSVP now: bit.ly/4kP1tY0

010

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Get your tickets for Women Who Hold Power to Account: an inspiring evening honoring Women’s History Month and spotlighting remarkable women leading with accountability and integrity across Chicago’s civic landscape. bit.ly/3MxCQ5g

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

From Watergate prosecutor to @ms.now Legal Analyst, Jill brings sharp legal insight and principled analysis to today’s national conversations on democracy. We’re honored to feature her at Women Who Hold Power to Account. Secure your tickets today: bit.ly/3MxCQ5g

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Join us for Beyond the Byline and the presentation of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting — celebrating the watchdog journalism that strengthens communities and holds power to account. Secure your tickets here: bit.ly/4pVG4ND

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Deborah Witzburg, Inspector General for Chicago, joins Women Who Hold Power to Account. Appointed in 2022, she leads oversight of city government and previously headed OIG’s public safety and police reform work. Hear from one of Chicago’s top accountability leaders: bit.ly/3MxCQ5g

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

We're excited to have Sophia Van Pelt (She/her) moderating Women Who Hold Power to Account. A BGA Policy analyst, she focuses on government oversight, FOIA protections and criminal justice accountability with deep policy expertise to guide the discussion. bit.ly/3YVXv5U

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Meet Ruby Bailey, the Editor in Chief of the Illinois Answers project. She brings 30 years of award winning reporting to our Women Who Hold Power to Account panel. Hear her insights on accountability in journalism. Learn more and register here: bit.ly/3YVXv5U

010

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Jane Ruby is president of the League of Women Voters of Chicago. Jane’s work has focused on protecting and expanding voting rights, civic education and women’s empowerment issues. Don’t miss her speak on holding power to account at this Women’s History Month panel in Chicago: bit.ly/3YVXv5U

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

010

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Submissions are now open for the 22nd Anniversary Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting. News organizations across Chicago and Illinois are encouraged to apply. The deadline to submit your entry is Monday, February 23rd at 11:59 p.m. CDT. bit.ly/4k2DAvC

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Save the date! Join us for Beyond the Byline: Featuring the 22nd Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting on Thursday, May 7, from 3:30–8:30 p.m. at Venue SIX10 in downtown Chicago. Learn more and register here: bit.ly/4pVG4ND

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

Save the date! Join us March 10 for Women Who Hold Power to Account, an evening conversation honoring Women’s History Month and spotlighting women who exemplify accountability and integrity across Chicago’s civic landscape. Learn more and register here: bit.ly/3YVXv5U

010

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

Policy Analyst @sophiavp.bsky.social was quoted in this article discussing the increase of body cam requests in Naperville. “The more barriers that go up, the more roadblocks there are in the requesting process, the harder it is for the public to get the records." bit.ly/4pB0gEp

bit.ly

Naperville police trying to deal with big increase in body cam footage requests

Naperville police want legislation to curb the growing number of Freedom of Information Act requests for body camera footage.

030

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Just a few months after the last remaining law enforcement agencies were required to equip officers with body cameras, several legislative efforts in 2025 tried to limit access to body cam footage, according to an analysis by BGA Policy. bit.ly/4jo33Q5

bit.ly

Six bills sought to reduce public access to body cam footage

Just a few months after the last remaining law enforcement agencies were required to equip officers with body cameras, several legislative efforts in 2025 tried to limit access to body […]

020

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

3 days until we connect systems, power and people. Don’t miss Power of Journalism Dec 2 at The Experimental Station! RSVP here: host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration…

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

From our newsroom: Budgets tell a story — Alex Nitkin follows the money to uncover who benefits and who’s left behind. Join him at #PowerOfJournalism → 🎟 RSVP: host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration…

000

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Moderator @gracehauck.bsky.social will guide Illinois Answers' conversation on how investigative journalism builds more accountable systems. Join her on Dec. 2! Learn more here: www.bettergov.org/event/16768

010

Better Government Association @bettergov.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

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. host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration…

010