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* You really gotta hand it to the Better Government Association. They know how to gin up publicity and raise money. From a press release…

Lt. Governor Simon will declare it “The Onion Day” in Illinois on Tuesday, July 31 in honor of the satirical newspaper making Chicago its international headquarters. The declaration will come during a fund raiser for the Better Government Association emceed by WGN TV’s Larry Potash and Robin Baumgarten that features special performances by a banjo-toting Simon and The Onion Players.

The Onion claims to be the “biggest, most expansive, most powerful, most terrifying and most influential media company in the civilized world.” Leaving behind New York City, The Onion consolidated its media operations in Chicago this month, and recently broke ground on a new studio in River North for digital video production. The Onion will move 100 employees to the new offices and studio in October.

The Onion leaders attribute the relocation to the Illinois tax credit for web video, TV and film production, as well as the city’s comedy scene and proximity to Hot Doug’s Encased Meat Emporium and Hotdog Superstore. Simon will dedicate a new song to The Onion and the BGA for their work in exposing political corruption and promoting government transparency.

* The Question: Do you have any more ideas for BGA fundraisers?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:00 am

Comments

Sell naming rights to Andy Shaw’s ego.

Comment by Reality Check Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:07 am
“Take Your Child to Their New Appointed Job Day”

“Appoint a Female to Run Your Company Day”

“Hey Look, I Am a Minority Too Day, brought to you by Ancestry.com”

“Flip you Lid! No Bid Contract Month!”

“Hide and Seek you In-Law’s Job Fair”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:09 am
There’s something unseemly about a government watchdog organization using an elected official to raise money. They had david hoffman either last year or the year before along with a retired scotus which was fine, but if they are the Better Government group, they shouldn’t be asking someone they are supposed to be monitoring to help raise money for them, regardless of what her father may or may not have done in life.

Comment by Shore Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:13 am
“Purchase Anything under the Bid Threshold Week”

“Free Checking for Personal Use of Your Campaign Funds Month”

“Form a New Company and Win a State Contract Week”

“Hire Your Convicted Family Felon Day”

“Ignore Rutan Month”

“Ignore Veteran’s Preference Week”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:20 am
The BGA routinely advocates for bad policy to achieve worthwhile goals. For example their best idea for removing fundraising corruption from politics is to force candidates to spend more time fundraising. Their idea for reducing the influence of money in politics is to make candidates more dependent on a smaller pool of limited donors. Apparently forcing these candidates to spend more time chasing a smaller pool of potentially influential people is supposed to make these candidates less desperate and less willing to cheat and make these donors less influential. This is idiotic and destined for a grand failure.

So for their next fundraiser maybe they could partner with New Coke, the gross receipts tax, the XFL or maybe Meigs Field. Actually none of those things exist anymore so I guess their only real option is the Cubs.

The Cubs.

Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:24 am
Andy Shaw Humility Day

Comment by amalia Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:25 am
“Hyperbole Day” sponsored by Trumped-up Towers.

But not as good as “Ignore Rutan Month” LOL.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:32 am
Pillow fight with ICPR.

BGA should have a column in the Onion. Their recommendations would fit right in.

Silent,sealed auction to win bills they favor. Oh wait, they tried that but didn’t deliver the prizes.

Comment by walkinfool Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:39 am
Onion isn’t bringing the name/jobs of Boeing or prestige of NY Times, etc. Why is it a big deal, some little free newspaper no one reads is coming to Chicago?

Seems Simon is using Better Gov. Assoc. and Onion for PR or to seem “cool” and “with it.” Plus, does the lt. gov. really do anything other than go to parades and cocktail hours like this?

Comment by CryMeARiver Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:42 am
“Take Your Former Offical to Prison Week”

“Roll on your Mentor Day”

“Thick Plain Envelopes Week”

“The Official Political ‘Code Word’ Handbook - $12.99″

“Easy Listening … Devices, sponsored by Sony”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:42 am
===“Roll on your Mentor Day”===

We may have a winner.

Also, OW, you won yesterday.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:44 am
===”with it.” ===

Wow.

Haven’t heard that one in a long time. If ever.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:46 am
How about a raffle for free stays at an unregulated bed + breakfast in Lincoln Park?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:46 am
Rich, you should have shut down this thread after Reality Check’s post. “Sell naming rights to Andy Shaw’s ego.”

That may be the Capitolfax Post of the Year.

Would love to know what kind of $ Shaw is personally making off of this.

What exactly is the BGA these days? A news wire service? A think tank? A lobbying group? I saw Shaw standing at the rail this Spring passing his business card into Reps. Shouldn’t he be in the press box?

This aggressive fund raising raises all sorts of conflict-of-interest questions. Who is giving them money and why? Do they rely on fees from the media outlets that run their stories, or business types with political agendas? Why are they asking politicians for money?

The BGA has done a lot of good work over years, but their new style is a bit uncomfortable.

Comment by Tony Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:49 am
Thanks Rich - will let you know when I get down to “partake” more than “collect”.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:52 am
=== There’s something unseemly about a government watchdog organization using an elected official to raise money… they shouldn’t be asking someone they are supposed to be monitoring to help raise money for them, regardless of what her father may or may not have done in life. ===

Excellent point (and I usually disagree with Shore).

=== Onion isn’t bringing the name/jobs of Boeing or prestige of NY Times, etc. Why is it a big deal, some little free newspaper no one reads is coming to Chicago? ===

You’re being a bit too nit-picky here. Yea, it’s not Boeing or the NY Times, but the Onion is a very popular newspaper which also has a number of spin-offs (satirical radio news, books, tv show, etc.). This is a young professional’s event, so it makes sense to cling to something that appeals to the younger-set. Just because the Onion isn’t the NY Times, doesn’t mean its not good its moving to Chicago… your logic is just silly.

Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 11:00 am
The BGA and The Onion opt to raise funds through a new joint venture: “Wikileeks”.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 11:06 am
“The Sam Adam, Jr. Legal Advice Raffle”

“The Silent Auction “Golf Day” with Dan Webb, Jim Thompson, You and Your ‘Unnamed Co-Conspirator’…”

“Win a Free Forensic Cleaning of your Email, sponsored by GMail”

“Bid on the ‘Shred the Slopes Ski Package’ with Industrial Shredder for your Office or Home.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 11:15 am
~Why is it a big deal, some little free newspaper no one reads is coming to Chicago?~

You don’t live here, do you?

Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 11:16 am
“Whack a Mole” - Bid on the chance for 5 minutes “alone” with the federal witness who tunred on you.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 11:22 am
===”with it.” ===

Only used by hep cats making the scene in their zoot suits.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 11:23 am
“Take a Lawyer to Your Deposition Day”

“Bring Your Child to Your 2nd … or 3rd Government Job Day”

“Deposit All Your Pension Checks at Once Hour”

“Win the chance to ‘Clean Out your HR File’ Raffle”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 11:34 am
“Pick-A-Law-To-Not-Defend Day”
“Wheel of Cuts” - spin the wheel to cut your favorite budget, but don’t land on Bankrupt!. Sponsored by the Illinois Pork Producers Association

Comment by Name Withheld Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 11:54 am
“Onion isn’t bringing the name/jobs of Boeing or prestige of NY Times, etc.”

I like the name/jobs combo, b/c Boeing didn’t bring that many more than 100 jobs. (okay, 500 is kind of a lot more, but I doubt that the Onion is getting $126,000 per job, like Boeing).

“Why is it a big deal, some little free newspaper no one reads is coming to Chicago?”

Apparently 400,000 copies a week.

On a related note, I never understand the NASCAR stuff, since nobody watches that–oh, right, there’s a difference between “nobody I know” and “*actually* nobody”. Sorry ’bout that.

Comment by Chris Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 11:54 am
“Cannoli Bake-off & Bake Sale”

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 12:25 pm
If you donate now, Andy will stop sending fundraising letters to your state office for an entire year, though he will continue to send you fundraising emails to your state account.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 12:48 pm
New spin on the good old fashioned dunk tank:

“Andy Shaw Waterboard.”

Would raise a fortune.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 1:04 pm
@Tony -

According to public records, Shaw made $170K in 2010, which was about 1/6 of their total budget.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 1:14 pm
BGA should look to host a fundraising event at Hot Doug’s Encased Meat Emporium. Lawmaking is like making sausage, isn’t it?

Comment by cover Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 1:26 pm
Anonymous - “Wikileeks” How great is that? Multiple kudos to you for bringing onion tears of laughter to me this afternoon.

Comment by johhnypizza Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 1:34 pm
@Shore -

To me, BGA crossed the line when Shaw penned the “non-endorsement” of Claypool over Berrios.

In case you didn’t read it, let me recap:

We are prohibited by law from endorsing political candidates.

But if we could make an endorsement, we’d endorse Claypool, because we think Joe Berrios is a bottom feeder.

So, if you’re a Republican, don’t throw away your vote on the GOP nominee, who doesn’t have a snowball’s chance of winning.

Vote for Forrest Claypool this November.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 1:51 pm
@YDD,

BGA went from a budget of $300k to nearly $2 million in three years with a corresponding increase in investigative staff at a time when most nonprofits are struggling to avoid big layoffs. I would argue that kind of performance makes his salary a pretty darned good deal.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 2:00 pm
Someone asked about HandOutAndy’s take from this event…not sure, but here is the 2010 990…don’t know what other fees he collects along the way…
Form9so(2010) Better Government Association, Inc. 36-0802950 Page8
Part’.VII4 Section A. Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, and Highest Compensated Employees
Name and Title Average Position Reportable m = n compensation compensation from amount of

(17) Lori Yokoyama Director $1.00
(1a) Andrew Shaw.Exec. Dir. $156,000
(19) Rita McLennon, Chief Operating Off. $136,859

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 2:06 pm
YDD,

The Berrios thing was more than two years ago in Shaw’s early days. While probably not the best choice in the world at the time, what do you think they’ve done since then that has crossed the line?

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 2:10 pm
I was also troubled by the BGA’s “support” of Claypool over Berrios. Similarly, I’ve been troubled by the BGA’s hyper-focus on Chicago and Cook County (while ignoring the plethora of corrupt/troubling practices elsewhere in the state) — for a while they seemed to be steering all their efforts toward easy, press-generating stories rather than in-depth analysis. I think that is slightly changing. I can’t recall where I saw it, but Andy Shaw did go on the record recently admitting some of their initial errors and, essentially, that his ego got in the way a bit, and that he has been checked on that.

Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 2:18 pm
In honor of his bravura performance at the 2004 Democratic Convention…

Andy Shaw’s “Open MICROPHONE!!!!!! Night”

Comment by Ron Burgundy Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 2:45 pm
Let’s stick to the question, please. Thanks.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 3:03 pm
I’m a big fan of Rich and Cap Fax’s mix of wit, wisdom, whimsy and wackiness, and I also welcome feedback and criticism, even when it’s harsh. But as the head of a watchdog organization that practices and preaches transparency I chafe at people who hide behind fictitious names. So I encourage my many detractors to dialogue with me via email if they’re interested in an actual conversation about what the BGA and Andy Shaw is and isn’t. ashaw@bettergov.org Hope to see you at the Onion event.

Comment by Andy Shaw Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 5:11 pm
A bit confused …

Did “Andy Shaw” go 3rd person?

===about what the BGA and Andy Shaw is and isn’t.===

Oswego Willy feels when someone goes 3rd person when lecturing others about snark and anonymity, Oswego Willy chafes.

OK, I am done with this, Oswego Willy is about leaving you with something to think about.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 6:44 pm
Arthur Andersen feels Oswego Willy’s chafing.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 7:36 pm
–But as the head of a watchdog organization that practices and preaches transparency I chafe at people who hide behind fictitious names.–

Andy (if Andy is your real name), do you ever take anonymous tips for your BGA reports? Do you ever protect unnamed sources? Did you ever do a “sources say” news story?

Whole lot of chafing going on.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 7:45 pm
===Whole lot of chafing going on.===

Got a new fundraising idea…

A BGA “Gold Bond” Sale - Buy 2, get the 3rd one, under a ficticious name, free!

Now Oswego Willy is done.

BTW, thanks for the concern Arthur Andersen, Oswego Willy should be fine tomorrow.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 7:53 pm
=…I chafe at people who hide behind fictitious names.=

If we didn’t use fictitious names, Anonymous would like to know what those who get paid to handle “messaging” would then claim they do. Just think about the impact such transparency would have on some people–and then ask yourself “Would that be FAIR to them?”

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 24, 12 @ 10:43 pm
Springfield insiders ridiculing the BGA, joking about waterboarding its head. God help us.

Comment by areopagetica Wednesday, Jul 25, 12 @ 9:34 am
===God help us. ===

Agreed. I missed that one. YDD, don’t do that again.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 25, 12 @ 9:38 am