Appendix 2

ARTICLES PERTAINING TO THE BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

BGA

BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

What is the
Better Government
Association?

The BGA is a unique civic organization fighting for the cause of better government. Our job is to act as an independent, nonpartisan watchdog organization to investigate instances of waste, inefficiency and corruption in government. We are active at all levels of government - local, county, state, and in many instances, at the federal level where such funds are spent by government in the State of Illinois. We have been instrumental in assisting numerous communities develop their own agencies based on the BGA model. In this way, the BGA can assist in strengthening the effective functioning of government throughout the nation. In 1970, we closed more than 50 major investigations - an average of more than one investigation per week. It is difficult to measure the effectiveness of our investigations. The principal purpose remains to reform the functions of government where they have been found to be defective or unresponsive to the needs of the public. Our recommendations have resulted in reorganization of many agencies of government as well as criminal action. Last year our investigations resulted in 20 indictments.

We are fortunate to have a reputation of credibility which attracts information from interested citizens. In addition, our staff, with its wide background of experience in government, develops innovative techniques to overcome the disturbing trend toward secrecy in government.

We are particularly fortunate in having a highly competitive and enlightened news media in our community. We are grateful for their confidence. We have worked aggressively in conjunction with representatives of virtually every news media in the community. Together we have been successful in effecting many significant changes in government.

Our purpose is not to embarrass government officials, but to advise them of inadequacy of operation within their agencies. We also make suggestions as to how beneficial changes may be accomplished. You will note that many of our investigations are derived from earlier disclosures made by the BGA. It is a standard operating policy of the BGA to contact government officials and agencies prior to disclosure of our findings to enable them to respond.

The BGA is not a government agency we have no arrest or subpoena powers, and we cannot convene Grand Juries. We recognize that we have only begun to scratch the surface. Yet our efforts have resulted in substantial tax savings and restored confidence in the processes of government.

Our best estimate is that we have saved Illinois taxpayers in the range of up to 50 million dollars in 1970. Moreover, the mere fact that many government agencies and personnel know of the BGA interest in promoting efficient operation is a beneficial deterrent to waste and corruption.

The BGA is, indeed, fortunate in having a Board of Trustees and a Board of Directors that are dedicated to the principle of better government. These dedicated men and women, who represent a broad cross section of the civic and commercial life of our community, devote a great deal of their time to the furtherance of BGA objectives.

A tradition of the BGA which extends back to its inception is its candidate rating and endorsement program. In 1970, the BGA screened and interviewed more than 235 candidates for public office. We provided objective information to the public regarding a number of candidates who had no prior public exposure. Of statistical interest is the fact that in the general election of 1970, there was virtually an even number of candidates of both Republican and Democratic Parties who were endorsed by the BGA. In order to comply with recent Internal Revenue Service rulings, the BGA early in November agreed to drop its candidate rating and endorsement program. The By-Laws have been revised accordingly.

The BGA has maintained a strong nonpartisan and independent stance, free of any political party or any public official.

The BGA investigative program will continue to increase its effectiveness in the future. Our follow-up program is becoming increasingly more effective. The trend of our future investigations will be to review the operation of an entire agency with the hoped for impact of achieving greater savings and improved operations of government agencies.

City of Chicago
Ambulance Service:

During a review of the operations of private ambulance companies in
Chicago, William Recktenwald, a BGA investigator, and William Jones, a
Chicago Tribune reporter, were assigned to work as ambulance attendants.
The disclosures of refusal to move patients without advance payment,
unqualified attendants, unsanitary conditions, and lack of equipment
resulted in immediate action by the City of Chicago. Based on our
disclosures, the City of Chicago City Council held hearings which resulted in
several new ordinances based on our recommendations. The City of Chicago
has reorganized its public emergency ambulance service. We have also
submitted our recommendations to a State Legislative Commission which is
holding hearings on the subject.

The Cook County Grand Jury returned indictments against ten Chicago
Policemen, five corporate executives of private ambulance companies, one
ambulance company employee and two private ambulance companies as a
result of BGA disclosures.

Prior to the BGA investigation, the City of Chicago had one of the worst private ambulance services. Now, as a result of our investigation, Chicago is well on its way to having one of the best emergency ambulance services in the country.

Cite 16 in Ambulance Racket

Successful Campaign

Cook County grand jury indictments against 16 persons, including 10 Chicago policemen, represent the successful culmination of a campaign by THE TRIBUNE, with the cooperation of the Better Government Association, to expose the scandalous operations of shady private ambulance firms. Among those indicted are the presidents and some employes of two of the city's largest ambulance companies Mid-America Ambulance Service, Inc., and Scully-Walton Service, Inc.-accused of crimes: ranging from bribery to grand theft. All of the policemen are charged with bribery and official misconduct.

Four other policemen, tho not indicted, face possible dismissal.

The charges which led to the indictments have been documented in detail in this newspaper since our campaign began more than six months ago. They include endangering the health and safety of ill and indigent patients, refusal to transport to the nearest hospital a patient who couldn't pay for the service, unsanitary and inadequate equipment, and alleged payoffs to police for welfare cases.

To investigate these sordid and incredible conditions, one of our reporters, William Jones, worked undercover for more than eight weeks as an ambulance attendant. His partner was William Recktenwald, who worked under the direction of George Bliss, B. G. A. chief investigator, who also played a role in some aspects of the inquiry.

Along with that of the B. G. A., we are pleased at the good cooperation our efforts received from the office of State's Atty. Edward V. Hanrahan, which developed and presented the

cases to the grand jury. We are also gratified by the statement and action of Police Supt. James B Conlisk Jr., who said "THE TRIBUNE performed a definite public service" in exposing the scandal.

The exposé has also produced other good results. Both state and county welfare departments several months ago withheld payments and banned further transportation of welfare recipients by the ambulance firms involved.

The City Council unanimously approved a tough new private ambulance ordinance calling for the training of ambulance crews under the supervision of physicians and the Chicago Fire Academy. The city also abolished an ordinance preventing Fire Department ambulance crews from transporting patients from their homes to the nearest hospital. And the Fire Department added 10 new vehicles to its ambulante fleet and assigned them to low-income neighborhoods.