2014-10-09T17:12:20-05:00 2013-12-31 341945695 SS&G INC 1665 ELK BOULEVARD DES PLAINES IL 600164776 990 2013-01-01 360802950 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC BETT 3124278330 223 W JACKSON BLVD NO 900 CHICAGO IL 60606 ANDREW SHAW PRESIDENT/CEO 3124278330 2014-09-10 1 DIRK AHLBECK P00237637 8478244000 2014-09-10 2013 2015-11-30 17:44:51Z ANDREW SHAW 223 W JACKSON BLVD NO 900 CHICAGO IL 60606 3025715 0 X WWW.BETTERGOV.ORG X 1923 IL PROMOTES INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT. SEE PART III FOR MORE INFORMATION. 38 38 16 85 0 0 2554743 2973090 0 0 463 8511 -171297 -205032 2383909 2776569 0 0 0 0 1345637 1369782 0 0 158973 469920 655747 1815557 2025529 568352 751040 1748710 2491902 70126 61543 1678584 2430359 X TO PROMOTE INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT BY EXPOSING WASTE, FRAUD AND CORRUPTION, PROMOTING EFFECTIVE PUBLIC POLICY AND ENAGING THE COMMUNITY. 0 0 1019978 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 82 INVESTIGATIONS IN 2013. IN A SIGNIFICANT STEP FOR THE ORGANIZATION, LAST YEAR 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. 230737 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. 247324 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. 55005 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 2013 THE BGA TRAINED OVER 600 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. 55005 1553044 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 17 0 16 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 X 38 38 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 IL X X EMMETT MURPHY 3124278330 223 W JACKSON BLVD STE 900 CHICAGO IL 60606 HAMILTON H HILL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 FRANCIS BEIDLER III DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ERIC BERLIN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT CARSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DENNIS B BLACK DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 FRAN GROSSMAN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 PEDRO DEJESUS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 PATRICK COLLINS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CARROLL JOYNES DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARGARET DALEY CO-CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 SAMUEL FIFER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JAN GRAYSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TED HAWKINS TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JENNY JOHNSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SCOTT HODES DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 GRAHAM GRADY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 GARY KLEINRICHERT DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LUDWIG KOLMAN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 HILL HAMMOCK CO-CHAIR 1.00 X X 0 0 0 STEVE MILLER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 HEIDI RUDOLPH DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RACHEL NIEWOEHNER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 G SCOTT SOLOMON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT LEVIN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KRISTOFER SWANSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHRISTINA MARTINI DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID HOFFMAN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LAWRENCE OLIVER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JACK MODZELEWSKI DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOSE PADILLA SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JULIET SORENSEN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RAM PADMANABHAN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DAVID KOHN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LORI E LIGHTFOOT DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROSEMARY MATZL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHERYL PEARSON-MCNEIL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MILES RIPLEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARK E RUST DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TAMARA ASKEW FORMER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREW SHAW PRESIDENT/CEO 40.00 X 193750 0 18840 ROBERT REED DIR. OF PROGRAMMING & INVE 40.00 X 115000 0 25270 ROBERT HERGUTH EDITOR OF INVESTIGATIONS 40.00 X 105000 0 21796 MARY FRANCES O'CONNOR DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL RELAT 40.00 X 114584 0 13105 528334 0 79011 4 0 1 0 0 984400 1988690 2973090 8109 8109 21888 21486 402 402 402 8988 984400 227660 -218672 -218672 3040 0 3040 3040 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 10600 10600 10600 2776569 0 0 -196521 212590 148813 21259 42518 878456 696205 129056 53195 184730 131798 43920 9012 94006 66952 21153 5901 56858 56858 54080 54080 72796 58504 10646 3646 24876 19955 1684 3237 74231 58642 11976 3613 3182 1290 1093 799 2487 1965 401 121 18042 14409 2330 1303 77013 60840 12425 3748 INVESTIGATIVE 151382 151382 0 POLICY & GOV'T AFFAIRS 70458 70458 FUNDRAISING 27711 27711 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 11608 10087 605 916 11023 7664 106 3253 2025529 1553044 313512 158973 616453 999985 658765 182124 300000 392677 51187 24288 160656 102743 68152 57913 21486 808524 26276 20000 6391 6391 1748710 2491902 38898 32955 31228 28588 70126 61543 X 1370446 1989544 308138 440815 1678584 2430359 1748710 2491902 751040 735 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 976149 986488 2246727 2554743 2972045 9736152 976149 986488 2246727 2554743 2972045 9736152 1899327 7836825 2461 1225 1307 463 8109 13565 58773 55396 31260 18573 23673 187675 9937392 0.78860 0.76430 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 16711 0 1 29079 45790 0 PART II-B, LINE 1: PROVIDING RESEARCH, REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING CURRENT POLICIES AND LEGISLATION BASED ON BGA INVESTIGATIONS. 4669 1720 2949 92789 66593 26196 63198 34430 28768 57913 DEFERRED RENT 28588 28588 X 3555098 735 550134 227660 778529 2776569 0 2776569 2803323 550134 227660 777794 2025529 0 2025529 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 2010 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 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: SPECIAL EVENTS EXPENSE 227,660. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: SPECIAL EVENTS EXPENSE 227,660. ANNUAL LUNCHEON 904880 899730 5150 65901 104668 SPRING AWARDS 62200 60430 1770 7405 33090 1 26308 24240 2068 6622 9974 993388 984400 8988 79928 147732 227660 -218672 X 1 1 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ANDREW SHAW PRESIDENT/CEO 193750 0 0 0 0 0 5025 0 13815 0 212590 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 1A THE SOCIAL CLUB DUES ARE A BENEFIT FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND IS OUTLINED IN HIS CONTRACT. THE ORGANIZATION IS DIRECTLY BILLED BY THE CLUB AND PAYS ALL BILLS DIRECTLY TO THE CLUB. EACH BILL INCLUDES AN ITEMIZED INVOICE THAT THE ORGANIZATION'S ACCOUNTANT MONITORS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11 THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AND PRESIDENT AND CE0 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 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 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'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 2013. 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.