2013-11-13T14:59:56-06:00 2012-12-31 341945695 SS&G INC 1665 ELK BOULEVARD DES PLAINES IL 600164776 990 2012-01-01 360802950 BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION INC BETT 3124278330 223 W JACKSON BLVD NO 900 CHICAGO IL 60606 ANDREW SHAW 3124278330 2013-11-11 1 DIRK AHLBECK P00237637 8478244000 2013-11-11 2012 2016-02-25 16:41:14Z ANDREW SHAW 223 W JACKSON BLVD NO 900 CHICAGO IL 60606 2573779 0 X WWW.BETTERGOV.ORG X 1923 IL PROMOTES INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVERNMENT. SEE PART III FOR MORE INFORMATION. 32 32 19 85 0 0 2258067 2554743 23075 0 -8894 463 -141417 -171297 2130831 2383909 0 0 0 0 1284813 1345637 0 0 159238 399577 469920 1684390 1815557 446441 568352 1170419 1748710 60187 70126 1110232 1678584 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 883190 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 70 INVESTIGATIONS IN 2012. 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. 199607 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. 219494 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. 66620 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 2012 THE BGA TRAINED OVER 1,000 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. 66620 1368911 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 8 0 19 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 X 32 32 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 TAMARA ASKEW 1.00 X 0 0 0 FRANCIS BEIDLER III 1.00 X 0 0 0 ERIC BERLIN 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT CARSON 1.00 X 0 0 0 DENNIS B BLACK 1.00 X 0 0 0 FRAN GROSSMAN 1.00 X 0 0 0 PEDRO DEJESUS 1.00 X 0 0 0 PATRICK COLLINS 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOSEPH HASSON 1.00 X 0 0 0 MARGARET DALEY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 SAMUEL FIFER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JAN GRAYSON 1.00 X 0 0 0 TED HAWKINS 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JENNY JOHNSON 1.00 X 0 0 0 SCOTT HODES 1.00 X 0 0 0 GRAHAM GRADY 1.00 X 0 0 0 GARY KLEINRICHERT 1.00 X 0 0 0 LUDWIG KOLMAN 1.00 X 0 0 0 HILL HAMMOCK 1.00 X X 0 0 0 STEVE MILLER 1.00 X 0 0 0 HEIDI RUDOLPH 1.00 X 0 0 0 RACHEL NIEWOEHNER 1.00 X 0 0 0 G SCOTT SOLOMON 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT LEVIN 1.00 X 0 0 0 KRISTOFER SWANSON 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHRISTINA MARTINI 1.00 X 0 0 0 RITA MCLENNON 40.00 X 30109 0 2308 DAVID HOFFMAN 1.00 X 0 0 0 LAWRENCE OLIVER 1.00 X 0 0 0 JACK MODZELEWSKI 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOSE PADILLA 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JULIET SORENSEN 1.00 X 0 0 0 RAM PADMANABHAN 1.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREW SHAW 40.00 X 188640 0 19653 ROBERT REED 40.00 X 115000 0 24824 ROBERT HERGUTH 40.00 X 105000 0 21524 MARY FRANCES O'CONNOR 40.00 X 101667 0 10309 540416 0 78618 4 0 1 0 0 13430 671030 1870283 2554743 463 463 14923 671030 189870 -174947 -174947 MISCELLANEOUS 900099 3650 3650 3650 2383909 0 0 -170834 240710 149047 35417 56246 829001 682781 111343 34877 194615 154621 28915 11079 81311 63302 11984 6025 7500 7500 53505 53505 10954 10243 460 251 74877 56073 10073 8731 25842 21163 2004 2675 73091 56041 11030 6020 12351 2937 4403 5011 1016 779 153 84 57293 48946 5400 2947 31793 24376 4798 2619 INVESTIGATIVE 58426 58426 POLICY & GOV'T AFFAIRS 28708 28708 FUNDRAISING 18862 18862 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 9729 5541 393 3795 5973 5927 30 16 1815557 1368911 287408 159238 127442 616453 583302 658765 302289 300000 29968 51187 159129 90977 73769 68152 21486 47258 26276 6391 6391 1170419 1748710 36969 38898 23218 31228 60187 70126 X 807943 1370446 302289 308138 1110232 1678584 1170419 1748710 568352 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 177339 976149 986488 2246727 2554743 6941446 177339 976149 986488 2246727 2554743 6941446 1387074 5554372 5751 2461 1225 1307 463 11207 150445 58773 55396 31260 18573 314447 7267100 0.76430 0.72600 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 18890 0 1 4375 23265 0 EXPLANATION OF LOBBYING ACTIVITIES: PART II-B, LINE 1: PROVIDING RESEARCH, REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING CURRENT POLICIES AND LEGISLATION BASED ON BGA INVESTIGATIONS. 4669 983 3686 92789 60748 32041 61671 29246 32425 68152 DEFERRED RENT 31228 31228 X 3115725 541946 189870 731816 2383909 0 2383909 2547373 541946 189870 731816 1815557 0 1815557 DESCRIPTION OF UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS UNDER FIN 48: 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 ORGANIZATIONS OPEN AUDIT PERIODS ARE 2009 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, 2012 AND 2011. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: SPECIAL EVENTS EXPENSE 189,870. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: SPECIAL EVENTS EXPENSE 189,870. ANNUAL LUNCHEON 595988 588470 7518 19443 75203 48676 SPRING AWARDS 55135 54060 1075 3565 9815 19438 1 34830 28500 6330 7075 6655 685953 671030 14923 23008 92093 74769 189870 -174947 X 1 1 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ANDREW SHAW 188640 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19653 0 208293 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 AND LIFE TRUSTEES 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 MAY 2012 AND THE BOARD IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING A RENEWAL CONTRACT. 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.