Better Government Association
From Sunshine Review
The Better Government Association (BGA) is a non-profit based in Illinois. It was founded in 1923 to fight the influence of the Al Capone mob. It describes itself as "an independent, non-partisan government watchdog group committed to fighting waste, corruption and inefficiency in government."
The BGA is currently seeking federal subpoenas issued during the first six months of 2006 to Governor Blagojevich's office, and has had their right to the subpoenas upheld by both an Illinois trial court and a court of appeals. [1]
Studies and Reports
The organization conducts investigations, and also policy guidelines and research.
In 2008, the BGA released the Integrity Index, which "ranks all fifty states on the strength of their laws relating to transparency, ethics, and accountability in government." [2] In 2007, BGA collaborated with the National Freedom of Information Coalition on a 50-state study that graded responsiveness in each of the 50 states to FOI requests.[3]
Also in 2008, BGA launched the "Clout Fairy Blog" where news analysis and some of the opinions of the BGA are posted.
In 2002, BGA collaborated with Investigative Reporters and Editors on a 50-state study called Freedom of Information in the USA that ranked the FOIA laws in each of the fifty states.[4]
External links
References
- ↑ Appeals court agrees Blagojevich must release subpoenas, Chicago Tribune, November 20, 2008
- ↑ ''2008 BGA-Alper Integrity Index Press Release, Better Government Association, October 27, 2008
- ↑ Graded state responsiveness to FOI requests
- ↑ Freedom of Information in the USA, 2002
