2016-11-10T13:12:26-06:00 2015-12-31 BDO USA LLP 1665 Elk Boulevard Des Plaines IL 600164776 990 2015-01-01 360802950 Better Government Association Inc % EMMETT MURPHY BETT 3124278330 223 W Jackson Blvd Ste 900 Chicago IL 60606 ANDREW SHAW PRESIDENT/CEO 3124278330 2016-11-15 true Rebekuh Eley P01247672 8478244000 2015 2017-02-10 21:41:12Z ANDREW SHAW 223 W Jackson Blvd Ste 900 Chicago IL 60606 6302021 false X www.bettergov.org X 1923 IL PROMOTES INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT. SEE PART III FOR MORE INFORMATION 40 40 24 85 0 0 2359612 4496428 0 0 17713 77658 -183257 -197489 2194068 4376597 0 0 0 0 1514667 1804558 0 0 201116 759532 941394 2274199 2745952 -80131 1630645 2529762 4022116 106480 125810 2423282 3896306 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 1201162 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 500 investigations in 2015. 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. 392273 Citizen Education & Communication Programs (Civic Engagment)- 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. 416519 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. 139926 2149880 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 23 0 24 true false false false false false true true false false false false X 40 40 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 Hamilton H Hill DIRECtor 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Paul Baker Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Eric Berlin Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Clark Bell Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Jonathan C Bunge DIRECTor 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 FRAN GROSSMAN Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Cindy Davis Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Lisa Leiter Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Carroll Joynes Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Margaret Daley Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Samuel Fifer Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Nicole Nocera Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Ted Hawkins Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Chuck Peruchini Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Scott Hodes Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Merri Jo Gillette DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Gary Kleinrichert Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Ludwig Kolman Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 HILL HAMMOCK Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Steve Miller Vice Chair 1.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 Heidi Rudolph Vice Chair 1.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 Lisabeth Weiner Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 G SCOTT SOLOMON TREASURER 1.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 ROBERT LEVIN Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Kristofer Swanson Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 CHRISTINA MARTINI Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 DAVID HOFFMAN DIRECtor 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 LAWRENCE OLIVER DIRECtor 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JACK MODZELEWSKI DIRECtor 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 JOSE PADILLA SECretary 1.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 JULIET SORENSEN DIRECtor 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Marta Carreira-Slabe DIRECtor 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 David Kohn DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 ROSEMARY MATZL DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 MILES RIPLEY DIRECTOR 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 MARK E RUST chair 1.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 Daniel L Goodwin Vice Chair 1.0 0.0 X X 0 0 0 Barack Echols Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Thom Serafin Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Chris Segal Director 1.0 0.0 X 0 0 0 Andrew Shaw PRESIDENT/CEO 40.0 0.0 X 235000 0 12722 Robert Reed Dir. of Programming 40.0 0.0 X 126083 0 25514 ROBERT HERGUTH Editor of Investigat 40.0 0.0 X 116082 0 24829 Mary Frances O'Connor Director of External 40.0 0.0 X 126083 0 18189 603248 0 81254 4 false true false 0 1531479 2964949 1002118 4496428 0 100150 100150 0 0 0 0 0 1665642 1688134 -22492 -22492 -22492 21540 1531479 237165 -215625 -215625 2926 125 2801 2801 0 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 35 35 Speaking fees and Awards 900099 15300 15300 15335 4376597 -119831 0 0 0 0 247721 173405 24772 49544 0 1205569 1015039 110691 79839 0 240359 160125 65606 14628 110909 90813 10331 9765 0 71400 64981 6419 77125 77125 0 0 0 16625 16625 138965 138965 75581 58229 6580 10772 58719 48011 2826 7882 0 48989 39461 5336 4192 0 0 5895 4036 545 1314 0 0 31298 25382 2738 3178 58419 47058 6361 5000 INVESTIGATIVE 227222 227222 Policy & gov't affairs 49703 49703 Dues and Subscriptions 12131 10924 385 822 Watchdog training unit 56347 56347 12975 5160 54 7761 2745952 2149880 394956 201116 571251 171668 136010 25971 251000 338500 5400 3585 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 15382 82877 192342 132619 56747 59723 1473581 2505948 0 0 0 0 14000 103355 6391 730489 2529762 4022116 84410 90520 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 22070 35290 106480 125810 X 2081533 2795008 341749 1101298 0 0 2423282 3896306 2529762 4022116 1630645 -157621 X false true X true false X 2246727 2554743 2972045 2359612 4496428 14629555 0 0 2246727 2554743 2972045 2359612 4496428 14629555 2206628 12422927 1307 463 8109 13398 100150 123427 640 3040 2145 2801 8626 9315 3650 10600 35601 15335 74501 14836109 0.83734 0.83230 X Schedule A Part II, Line 10, Explanation for other income Special Events: 2010 Amount: $51,886 2011 Amount: $21,945 2012 Amount: $14,923 2013 Amount: $13,073 2014 Amount: $9,390 2015 Amount: $24,356 Speaker Fees and Awards 2014 Amount: $29,500 2015 Amount: $15,300 Miscellaneous 2010 Amount: $3,510 2011 Amount: $9,315 2012 Amount: $3,650 2013 Amount: $10,600 2014 Amount: $6,101 2015 Amount: $35 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false true false false false false true 7428 false true 35589 43017 false Lobbying Activities Providing research, reports and recommendations for improving current policies and legislation based on BGA investigations. 0 7994 4664 3330 0 95471 78427 17044 0 88877 49528 39349 59723 SECURITY DEPOSIT 6391 LONG TERM PLEDGES RECEIVABLE 724098 730489 0 DEFERRED RENT 35290 35290 X 4728684 -157621 272418 237290 352087 4376597 4376597 3255660 272418 237290 509708 2745952 2745952 PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: Revenue Special Events rEVENUE $237,290 PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: Expense Special Events Expense $237,290 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 Organizations income tax filings are subject to audit by various taxing authorities. The Organizations open audit periods are 2012 through the current year. In evaluating the Organizations 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, 2015 and 2014. ANNUAL LUNCHEON 1411645 1406535 5110 48339 107750 SPRING AWARDS 77785 70615 7170 11597 40289 1 63589 54329 9260 125 10202 18863 1553019 1531479 21540 125 70138 166902 237165 -215625 X X X false false false false false false false false false Andrew Shaw PRESIDENT/CEO 235000 0 0 0 0 0 5550 0 7172 0 247722 0 0 0 Robert Reed Dir. of Programming 126083 0 0 0 0 0 3450 0 22064 0 151597 0 0 0 X 3 1002118 FAIR MARKET VALUE 0 false false false FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A, PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: COST OF TOWNSHIPS. IN ADDITION THE BGA CONTINUES TO PRODUCE DAY-TO-DAY, HARD-HITTING INVESTIGATION. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4D, OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: CITIZEN WATCHDOG TRAINING PROGRAM - THE BGAS 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 2015 THE BGA TRAINED OVER 500 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. INFORMATION ACT CLINICS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11: 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 ORGANIZATIONS 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. 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/CEOS 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.