2017-11-15T14:55:08-06:00 2016-12-31 MARCUM LLP NINE PARKWAY NORTH SUITE 200 DEERFIELD IL 60015 990 2016-01-01 360802950 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC % EMMETT MURPHY BETT 3124278330 223 W JACKSON BLVD STE 900 CHICAGO IL 60606 ANDREW SHAW PRESIDENT 2017-11-15 true GEORGE BODENBERG P00434750 8472826300 2017-11-15 167.68.126.113 15832520173195000010 2017-11-15 P 582C9729DE8DF3A33E7F9B91CE9F6BC11CCF99F2 6389DCD1D2D779AC92190672D581AB82E0E19172 2016 2017-02-10 21:41:12Z ANDREW SHAW 223 W JACKSON BLVD STE 900 CHICAGO IL 60606 4781407 false X WWW.BETTERGOV.ORG X 1923 IL PROMOTES INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT. SEE PART III FOR MORE INFORMATION 34 34 30 85 0 0 4496428 3641509 0 0 77658 67796 -197489 -222279 4376597 3487026 0 0 0 0 1804558 2035579 0 0 290886 941394 1043661 2745952 3079240 1630645 407786 4022116 4589613 125810 235263 3896306 4354350 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 1476366 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 110 INVESTIGATIONS IN 2016. 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. 458813 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. 467190 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. 117434 2519803 true true false true false false false false false false true false false true true true 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 17 0 30 true false false false false false true true false false false false X 34 34 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false IL X EMMETT MURPHY 3124278330 223 W JACKSON BLVD SUITE 900 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 NICOLE NOCERA SECRETARY 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 MERRI JO GILLETTE DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 STEVE GREENSPON DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 FRAN GROSSMAN DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 HILL HAMMOCK DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 HAMILTON H HILL DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 CARROLL JOYNES DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 GARY KLEINRICHERT 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 CHRISTINA MARTINI DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 ROSEMARY MATZL 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 LAWRENCE OLIVER II DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 CHUCK PERUCHINI 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 ANDREW SHAW PRESIDENT/CEO 40.0 0.0 X 250000 0 13859 ROBERT HERGUTH EDITOR OF INVESTIGATION 40.0 0.0 X 131615 0 48564 MARY FRANCES O'CONNOR DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL 40.0 0.0 X 148571 0 35194 ROBERT REED DIR. OF PROGRAMMING 40.0 0.0 X 107167 0 23758 637353 0 121375 4 false true false 0 1572916 2068593 100089 3641509 0 38579 38579 0 0 0 0 0 1081601 1052384 29217 29217 0 1572916 241997 -241997 0 0 0 0 0 0 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 6680 6680 SPEAKING FEES AND AWARDS 900099 13038 13038 19718 3487026 58297 0 0 0 0 250000 250000 0 1387861 1074776 135306 177779 0 279293 195013 62935 21345 118425 95788 9783 12854 0 112346 89421 11020 11905 71539 44401 21034 6104 0 0 0 0 116130 114530 29 1571 22544 17945 2211 2388 73365 59713 3245 10407 0 85487 68043 8385 9059 0 0 7639 6820 819 0 0 49671 40106 3375 6190 66472 52908 6520 7044 INVESTIGATIVE 255456 255283 173 WATCHDOG TRAINING UNIT 63355 63355 POLICY & GOV'T AFFAIRS 46634 46634 TELEPHONE 26221 19027 2073 5121 46802 26040 2635 18127 3079240 2519803 268551 290886 171668 766465 25971 10997 338500 110000 3585 2385 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 82877 59306 211039 150875 59723 60164 2505948 2738781 0 0 0 0 103355 94589 730489 746926 4022116 4589613 90520 166145 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 35290 69118 125810 235263 X 2795008 3120479 1101298 1233871 0 0 3896306 4354350 4022116 4589613 407786 50258 X false true X true false X 2554743 2972045 2359612 4496428 3641509 16024337 0 0 2554743 2972045 2359612 4496428 3641509 16024337 528005 15496332 463 8109 13398 100150 38579 160699 3040 2145 2801 7986 3650 10600 35601 15335 19718 84904 16277926 0.95198 0.83730 X SCHEDULE A PART II, LINE 10, EXPLANATION FOR OTHER INCOME: SPECIAL EVENTS: 2012 AMOUNT: $14,923 2013 AMOUNT: $13,073 2014 AMOUNT: $9,390 2015 AMOUNT: $24,356 2016 AMOUNT: $ NONE PART VIII LINE 11b SPEAKER FEES AND AWARDS: 2014 AMOUNT: $29,500 2015 AMOUNT: $15,300 2016 AMOUNT: $13,038 PART VIII LINE a MISCELLANEOUS: 2012 AMOUNT: $3,650 2013 AMOUNT: $10,600 2014 AMOUNT: $6,101 2015 AMOUNT: $35 2016 AMOUNT: $6,680 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false true false false false false true 8045 false true 37059 45104 false LOBBYING ACTIVITIES PROVIDING RESEARCH, REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING CURRENT POLICIES AND LEGISLATION BASED ON BGA INVESTIGATIONS. 16202 6953 9249 95471 83073 12398 99366 60849 38517 60164 SECURITY DEPOSIT 6391 LONG TERM PLEDGES RECEIVABLE 740535 746926 0 DEFERRED RENT 69118 69118 X 4163760 50258 384479 241997 676734 3487026 3487026 3705716 384479 241997 626476 3079240 3079240 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 2013 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, 2016 AND 2015. PART XI AND PART XII, LINE 2D: EXPENSES DIRECTLY RELATED TO SPECIAL EVENTS: $241,997 ANNUAL LUNCHEON 1463246 1457510 5736 55430 110383 SPRING AWARDS 82460 70099 12361 21044 40271 2 27210 24281 2929 5118 9751 1572916 1551890 21026 81592 160405 241997 -220971 X X X false false false false false false false false false ANDREW SHAW PRESIDENT/CEO 250000 0 0 0 0 0 6000 0 7859 0 263859 0 0 0 ROBERT HERGUTH EDITOR OF INVESTIGATION 131615 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 131615 0 0 0 MARY FRANCES O'CONNOR DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL 148571 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 148571 0 0 0 X 1 100089 FAIR MARKET VALUE false false 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 HELD THROUGH THE STATE, 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 2016 THE BGA TRAINED OVER 543 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 DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION 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 RENEGOTIATING 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 CONTRACT WAS LAST REVIEWED IN NOVEMBER 2014. SINCE THE LAST CONTRACT REVIEW, THE PRESIDENT/CEO HAS BEEN ON A MONTH TO MONTH BASIS. 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.