Better Government Association

NEW ANALYSIS: Which City of Chicago departments stayed within budget last year?

💵 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 Department budget, a BGA Policy analysis found: CPD exceeded its nearly $2 billion budget by $146 million in 2025.

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.

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.

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.

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: https://bit.ly/4ckta7W

Illinois lacks robust, independent oversight of its legislature, as BGA Policy covered in 2023. Rep. Rashid's HB 3562 offers improvements, including subpoena authority for the Legislative Inspector General and mandatory publication of IG reports.

A special thank you to the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation — lead presenter of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting — and to Lynn Osmond, President and Executive Director, and Nick Burt, Senior Program Officer, for their continued partnership and extraordinary support of investigative journalism.

In addition to supporting investigative reporting through these awards, the Foundation has been a major supporter of the The BGA's Illinois Answers Project State Investigations Team and a champion of accountability journalism in Chicago. Their commitment to investigative reporting and government accountability journalism helps elevate the work of local newsrooms and journalists.

We’re deeply grateful for their support of journalism that informs communities, strengthens democracy, and drives meaningful impact.

Thank you for helping make Beyond the Byline possible.

Congratulations to the winner and runner-up in the 2026 Large Newsroom Category at the Awards for Investigative Reporting, presented by the The BGA's Illinois Answers Project and the Better Government Association.

First Place:
“Chicago Under Siege: Block Club's Operation Midway Blitz”
Block Club Chicago
By Francia García Hernández & Madison Savedra

Runner-Up:
“64 Days in Chicago: The Story of Midway Blitz”
Chicago Tribune
By Andrew Carter, Caroline Kubzansky, Gregory Royal Pratt, and Laura Rodríguez Presa

We’re honored to recognize reporting that informs the public, elevates community voices, and demonstrates the power of investigative journalism.

Congratulations to the winner and runner-up in the 2026 Small Newsroom Category at the Awards for Investigative Reporting, presented by the The BGA's Illinois Answers Project and the Better Government Association.

First Place:
“Forensic Failures”
Injustice Watch
By Mya Dukmasova

Runner-Up:
“Denying Justice”
Injustice Watch
By Dan Hinkel

These investigations exemplify the power of accountability journalism and the vital role local reporting plays in our communities.

Congratulations to the journalists and newsroom teams behind this important work.