NCJ Number
77625
Date Published
1980
Length
46 pages
Annotation
This 1980 annual report of the Better Government Association (BGA), a private nonprofit watchdog organization located in Chicago, describes its investigations into governmental corruption and program abuse as well as legal activities, organization staff, and finances.
Abstract
The BGA director's introduction summarizes the year's activities and notes that the organization has grown considerably in staff, budget, and scope during the past decade. The report details BGA investigations into arson-for-profit schemes in Chicago's Uptown, the dangerous condition of the Business Administration's Surety Bond Guarantee program. The BGA also uncovered abuses in the Business and Industrial Loan program of the Farmers Home Administration and highlighted the Government's failure to curb unnecessary surgery. Other investigations focused on mismanagement in the Federal home loan programs for lower income families and child welfare issues, such as day care licensing, school dropouts, handicapped children's services, and child abuse. Additional areas targeted were the conduct of the 1980 census, the Illinois workers' compensation system, Chicago's housing courts, and city elevator inspections. Past BGA investigations are updated, as are ongoing lawsuits regarding Government surveillance of lawful political and community organizations and racial discrimination by the Chicago school board. The report also provides information on student intern programs, staff, and budget.