2019-08-22T14:13:24-05:00 2018-12-31 MARCUM LLP NINE PARKWAY NORTH SUITE 200 DEERFIELD IL 60015 990 2018-01-01 360802950 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC % EMMETT MURPHY BETT 3124278330 223 W JACKSON BLVD STE 300 CHICAGO IL 60606 DAVID GREISING PRESIDENT & CEO 3128219029 2019-07-31 true GEORGE BODENBERG P00434750 8472826300 2019-07-31 167.68.126.113 15832520192345000000 2019-08-22 P D3C15AC86DF05A2B99FCC4B760BCB5015F16BCA5 D3C15AC86DF05A2B99FCC4B760BCB5015F16BCA5 2018 2019-02-21 02:37:17Z DAVID GREISING 223 W JACKSON BLVD STE 300 CHICAGO IL 60606 3320416 false X WWW.BETTERGOV.ORG X 1923 IL PROMOTES INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT. SEE PART III FOR MORE INFORMATION 28 28 27 80 0 6625 3176237 3067081 0 0 81183 79544 -221109 -172547 3036311 2974078 0 0 0 0 2281832 2618925 0 0 554633 879297 911598 3161129 3530523 -124818 -556445 4577164 3866610 111145 176803 4466019 3689807 X TO PROMOTE INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT BY EXPOSING WASTE, FRAUD AND CORRUPTION, PROMOTING EFFECTIVE PUBLIC POLICY, AND ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY. false false 1632484 INVESTIGATIVE UNIT - THE BGA'S INVESTIGATIVE UNIT LOOKS INTO ALLEGATIONS OF WASTE, FRAUD, AND CORRUPTION IN CITY, COUNTY, SUBURBAN, AND STATE GOVERNMENT. THE RESULTS OF THESE IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATIONS ARE MADE PUBLIC THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL MEDIA. INVESTIGATIONS INCLUDE ANALYSIS OF GOVERNMENT BUDGETS, CONTRACTS AND PAYROLLS, MONITORING OF EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF GOVERNMENT RESOURCES AND REVIEW OF OPEN, HONEST AND FAIR LEGISLATIVE PROCESSES. THE BGA FILED NEARLY 35 INVESTIGATIONS IN 2018. IN A SIGNIFICANT STEP FOR THE ORGANIZATION, 2013 MARKED THE INITIATION OF THE RESCUING ILLINOIS PROJECT, AN ONGOING SERIES OF IN-DEPTH REPORTS ABOUT IMPROVING AND REFORMING STATE GOVERNMENT AND FOCUSING ON THE STATE'S SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS SUCH AS FAILING PUBLIC PENSIONS SYSTEMS, WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS, AND THE HIGH COST OF TOWNSHIPS. IN ADDITION THE BGA CONTINUES TO PRODUCE DAY-TO-DAY, HARD-HITTING INVESTIGATION. 399057 CITIZEN EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION PROGRAMS (CIVIC ENGAGEMENT) - THROUGH THE WEBSITE AND ITS COMPREHENSIVE DIGITAL STRATEGY, THE BGA PRESENTS ITS JOURNALISTIC INVESTIGATIONS, EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ON IMPORTANT GOVERNMENT ISSUES AND TRAINS CITIZENS ON TECHNIQUES FOR MONITORING GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES. THE WEBSITE ALSO INCLUDES THE ACTION CENTER WHICH EMPOWERS CITIZENS TO STAY UP TO DATE ON POLICY PRIORITIES AND CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH LAWMAKERS TO ACHIEVE POLICY CAMPAIGNS. 573262 POLICY ADVOCACY - THE BGA'S POLICY UNIT CONTINUES TO MAKE GREAT STRIDES IN SHAPING THE DISCUSSION, BOTH IN CHICAGO AND IN SPRINGFIELD, ABOUT WAYS TO IMPROVE OUR GOVERNMENT. THE POLICY TEAM WAS AT THE FOREFRONT OF KEY ISSUES, RELAYING THEM TO BGA FOLLOWERS ON THE THINK TANK BLOG AND IN THE MEDIA. THE POLICY UNIT FOCUSES ON STREAMLINING GOVERNMENT, KEEPING THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT FROM BEING DIMINISHED, WRONGFUL CONVICTION REFORM, PUBLIC PENSION REFORM AND GREATER FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY RELATED TO THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. 129222 CITIZEN WATCHDOG PROGRAM 129222 2734025 true true false true false false false false false false true false false true true false true false false false false false false false true false false false false true false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false true 18 0 27 true true true false false false false true true false false false false false false X 28 28 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false IL X X EMMETT MURPHY 3124278330 223 W JACKSON BLVD SUITE 300 CHICAGO IL 60606 MARK E RUST CHAIR 1.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 STEVEN N MILLER VICE CHAIR 1.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 JACK MODZELEWSKI VICE CHAIR 1.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 HEIDI RUDOLPH VICE CHAIR 1.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 G SCOTT SOLOMON TREASURER 1.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 CLARK BELL DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 ERIC BERLIN DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JONATHAN C BUNGE DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 MARTA CARREIRA-SLABE DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 CINDY DAVIS DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 BARACK ECHOLS DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 SAMUEL FIFER DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 STEVE GREENSPON DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 HILL HAMMOCK DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 CARROLL JOYNES DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 DAVID KOHN DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 LUDWIG KOLMAN DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 ROBERT LEVIN DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 CHRIS LYNCH DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 GEETA MALHOTRA DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 RYAN MURPHY DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JESSICA NOLAN DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 CHRIS SEGAL DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 THOM SERAFIN DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 LISABETH WEINER DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JILL WINE-BANKS DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 HON JULIA NOWICKI DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 RYAN CUDNEY DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 ANDREW SHAW PAST PRESIDENT AND CEO 40.0 0.0 X 100000 0 6653 DAVID GREISING PRESIDENT AND CEO 40.0 0.0 X 177404 0 0 JOHN CHASE DIRECTOR OF INVESTIGATIONS 40.0 0.0 X 113008 0 25149 SOLOMON LEIBERMAN VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGY 40.0 0.0 X 123238 0 16515 ROBERT SECTER SENIOR EDITOR 40.0 0.0 X 115085 0 27656 DAVID KIDWELL SENIOR EDITOR 40.0 0.0 X 115851 0 26645 MADELEINE DOUBEK DIRECTOR OF POLICY 40.0 0.0 X 105868 0 22515 850454 0 125133 7 false true false 0 1877940 1189141 121944 3067081 0 38831 38831 0 0 0 0 0 149419 108706 40713 40713 62285 1877940 237632 -175347 0 0 0 0 0 0 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 2500 2500 SPEAKER FEES AND AWARDS 900099 300 300 2800 2974078 2800 38831 0 0 0 0 277404 194183 27740 55481 0 1895338 1398401 126151 370786 52320 37374 14271 675 243788 212671 14560 16557 150075 122049 10400 17626 0 92862 75683 6036 11143 76655 50004 19288 7363 0 0 0 0 0 25188 19093 1413 4682 1788 1476 47 265 0 142730 116325 9277 17128 0 0 24812 21125 1168 2519 0 0 44908 36831 2100 5977 77176 62899 5016 9261 INVESTIGATIVE 109618 109618 WATCHDOG TRAINING UNIT 32249 32249 POLICY & GOV'T AFFAIRS 89607 89607 MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS 91368 91368 102637 63069 4398 35170 3530523 2734025 241865 554633 256935 308134 0 0 405000 465000 10000 26078 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 33164 46971 237351 179578 65724 57773 3082851 2440198 0 0 0 0 63879 48390 659611 474066 4577164 3866610 108935 167928 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2210 8875 111145 176803 X 3427799 2757132 1038220 932675 0 0 4466019 3689807 4577164 3866610 -556445 -219767 X false true X true false X 2359612 4496428 3641509 3176237 3067081 16740867 0 0 2359612 4496428 3641509 3176237 3067081 16740867 802948 15937919 13398 100150 38579 38751 38831 229709 2145 2801 6625 11571 35601 15335 19718 20250 2800 93704 17075851 0.93336 0.98181 X SCHEDULE A PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION FOR OTHER INCOME: SPECIAL EVENTS: 2014 AMOUNT: $9,390 2015 AMOUNT: $24,356 2016 AMOUNT: $NONE 2017 AMOUNT: $NONE 2018 AMOUNT: $NONE PART VIII LINE 11A MISCELLANEOUS: 2014 AMOUNT: $6,101 2015 AMOUNT: $35 2016 AMOUNT: $6,680 2017 AMOUNT: $19,000 2018 AMOUNT: $2,500 PART VIII LINE 11B SPEAKER FEES AND AWARDS: 2014 AMOUNT: $29,500 2015 AMOUNT: $15,300 2016 AMOUNT: $13,038 2017 AMOUNT: $1,250 2018 AMOUNT: $300 false true false false false false true 9329 false true 37193 46522 false LOBBYING ACTIVITIES PROVIDING RESEARCH, REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING CURRENT POLICIES AND LEGISLATION BASED ON BETTER GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATIONS. 6314 609 5705 231037 178969 52068 57773 SECURITY DEPOSIT 6391 LONG TERM PLEDGES RECEIVABLE 467675 474066 0 DEFERRED RENT 8875 8875 3105230 -219767 113287 237632 131152 2974078 2974078 3881442 113287 237632 350919 3530523 3530523 PART X, LINE 2: THE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, EXCEPT FOR NET INCOME DERIVED FROM UNRELATED BUSINESS ACTIVITIES. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION QUALIFIES FOR THE CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION DEDUCTION UNDER SECTION 170(B)(1)(A) AND HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS AN ORGANIZATION OTHER THAN A PRIVATE FOUNDATION UNDER IRC SECTION 509(A). THE ORGANIZATION'S INCOME TAX FILINGS ARE SUBJECT TO AUDIT BY VARIOUS TAXING AUTHORITIES. THE ORGANIZATION'S OPEN AUDIT PERIODS ARE 2015 THROUGH THE CURRENT YEAR. IN EVALUATING THE ORGANIZATION'S ACTIVITIES, MANAGEMENT BELIEVES ITS POSITION OF TAX-EXEMPT STATUS IS BASED ON CURRENT FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO UNCERTAIN POSITIONS TAKEN RELATED TO RECORDING INCOME TAXES. IN THE OPINION OF MANAGEMENT, THERE ARE NO ACTIVITIES UNRELATED TO THE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION AND THEREFORE NO TAX IS TO BE RECOGNIZED. IT IS THE POLICY OF THE ORGANIZATION TO INCLUDE IN MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES PENALTIES AND INTEREST ASSESSED BY INCOME TAXING AUTHORITIES. THERE ARE NO PENALTIES OR INTEREST FROM TAXING AUTHORITIES INCLUDED IN MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017. PART XI AND PART XII, LINE 2D: EXPENSES DIRECTLY RELATED TO SPECIAL EVENTS: $237,632 ANNUAL LUNCHEON 1893369 1835369 58000 47840 116390 SPRING AWARDS 46856 42571 4285 33398 40004 0 1940225 1877940 62285 81238 156394 237632 -175347 X X X false false false false false false false false false DAVID GREISING PRESIDENT AND CEO 177404 0 0 177404 X 1 96944 FAIR MARKET VALUE X RENT 1 25000 FAIR MARKET VALUE false true false FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4D, OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: CITIZEN WATCHDOG TRAINING PROGRAM - THE BGA'S CITIZEN WATCHDOG TRAINING IS A FREE PROGRAM THAT EMPOWERS CITIZENS TO EXAMINE GOVERNMENT AND DEMAND THE CHANGES THEY WANT TO SEE MADE. IN A SERIES OF FREE TRAINING SESSIONS, CITIZENS LEARN HOW TO KEEP AN EYE ON GOVERNMENT FROM VETERAN JOURNALISTS AND LEGAL PROFESSIONALS. PRO BONO SPEAKERS TEACH CITIZENS HOW TO UNDERSTAND GOVERNMENT AND HOW TO USE THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND OPEN MEETINGS ACT. IN 2018 THE BGA TRAINED OVER 231 PEOPLE THROUGH THIS PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, THE BGA CONTINUED TO EXPAND ITS CITIZEN WATCHDOGS OF EDUCATION PROGRAM, A TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO EMPOWER PARENTS TO KEEP AN EYE ON THEIR LOCAL CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. FINALLY, THE BGA HELD FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CLINICS. FORM 990 PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B: THE VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS AND PRESIDENT AND CEO WILL ENSURE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE FORM 990 BEFORE IT IS FILED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C: THE ORGANIZATION'S BOARD HAS A STANDING COMMITTEE, THE TRUSTEESHIP COMMITTEE, THAT KEEPS AN EVALUATION CHART ON EACH BOARD MEMBER AND OVERSEES ACTIVITIES THAT MIGHT RESULT IN POSSIBLE CONFLICTS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A: THE COMPENSATION PROCESS FOR THE PRESIDENT/CEO INCLUDED THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPOINTING A SUB-COMMITTEE TO WORK WITH LEGAL COUNCIL AND TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE SUB-COMMITTEE DID A FULL EVALUATION OF THE PRESIDENT/CEO'S PERFORMANCE IN THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATING THE CONTRACT. THE SUB-COMMITTEE ALSO WORKED WITH A NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT WHO USED EXISTING STUDIES THAT COMPARED NONPROFIT SALARIES FOR PRESIDENT TYPE POSITIONS. THE CONTRACT WAS DISCUSSED AND APPROVED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE FULL BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT HAVE ANY OTHER COMPENSATED KEY EMPLOYEES OR TOP MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19: THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS BYLAWS AVAILABLE ON ITS WEBSITE AND THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.