ICYMI: Such stark increases are expected to leave many homeowners in those neighborhoods struggling to pay their tax bills this fall. illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...

Leodus Thomas Jr. sees a brighter future for Chicago’s West Side. It’s why, after buying his house in Austin nine years ago, he decided to become a developer. But in the last several years, a new threat has emerged. illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/21/b...

Our Investigate the State conference is up and running! If you didn't register, you can still sign up and join this free, virtual conference here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...

NEW: Illinois is the only state that has yet to reform its tax sale laws after the Supreme Court found unconstitutional a process that can cost homeowners their residences. illinoisanswers.org/2025/09/11/l...

Just added! Lunch & Learn: Empowering Investigative reporting with Solutions Journalism, featuring Tina Rosenberg (Co-Founder, @soljourno.bsky.social), Deborah D. Douglas (Director, Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub) and @gracehauck.bsky.social (Illinois Answers, Investigative Reporter).

Join us for Investigate the State, a virtual conference bringing together news leaders across the Midwest to discuss, share strategies and forge partnerships to bolster Investigative journalism in every community. Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...

Join us for Investigate the State, a virtual conference bringing together news leaders across the Midwest to discuss, share strategies and forge partnerships to bolster Investigative journalism in every community. Learn more and register here: illinoisanswers.org/event/invest...

ICYMI: 10 years after Illinois’ budget impasse devastated human services, providers say they’re once again bracing for a financial storm. illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/28/i...

A decade ago, Illinois began what would become a two-year budget impasse. Since then, human services have recovered, albeit unevenly, thanks in part to COVID-era federal funds. @illinoisanswers.bsky.social https://loom.ly/o80xxOY

Today's must read from @hannahmeisel.bsky.social of @capitolnewsil.bsky.social & @ctoner.bsky.social of @illinoisanswers.bsky.social:

10 years after Illinois’ budget impasse gutted human services, providers warn they’re facing another financial storm. Federal relief funds are drying up just as demand surges. @capitolnewsil.bsky.social illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/28/i...

ICYMI: Officer Carlos Baker was accused of attacking a female cop at DSTRKT Bar & Grill. He told police he was harassed by two women — the off-duty cop and his girlfriend’s mother, who he said attacked him and referred to him as “a murderer.” illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/18/c...

BREAKING: Officer Carlos Baker, the Chicago cop who fatally shot his partner Krystal Rivera while pursuing a suspect, was stripped of his police powers on Friday but not for the shooting. illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/15/c...

Months after fatally shooting his partner during a foot pursuit, Chicago police officer Carlos Baker is accused of attacking another officer at a Wicker Park bar, leaving her with a split lip that required stitches. illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/13/b...

BREAKING: The CPD officer who shot and killed his partner during a foot pursuit earlier this year, allegedly attacked a female officer late Sunday at a bar in Wicker Park, the Chicago Sun-Times and Illinois Answers Project have learned. illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/13/b...

We’re hiring! Join Illinois Answers and help investigate critical issues, inform communities and drive change toward a more equitable Illinois. See open roles: illinoisanswers.org/work-with-us/

In 2021, we reported Loretto Hospital paid nearly $4M to firms tied to COO Anosh Ahmed’s associate. Now both are accused of stealing $300M in a COVID fraud scheme and are reportedly living in luxury in Dubai. illinoisanswers.org/2021/04/28/c... blockclubchicago.org/2025/07/22/t...

When Medicaid claims are denied, patients suffer the consequences. Providers report weeks‑long waits for care and some refusing Medicaid altogether as payments stall. Read the story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/05/m...

Providers across Illinois are facing financial crisis due to delays and denials from Medicaid MCOs. Some clinics report profits for insurers rising over $2 billion in the last two years. illinoisanswers.org/2025/08/05/m...

As Gov. Pritzker announces a new South Chicago home for quantum startup Infleqtion, questions remain about how this fast-growing field will deliver real community benefits. Our February investigation explored the promises and pitfalls: illinoisanswers.org/2025/02/06/t...

ICYMI: This Southern Illinois city was promised a fix for sewage flooding, but residents are still waiting. illinoisanswers.org/2025/07/15/a...

The City Council will consider an ordinance today that would allow construction of apartments called "granny flats" (officially, "accessory dwelling units" or ADUs) in coach houses and basements. @alexnitkin.bsky.social dug into ADUs in this @illinoisanswers.bsky.social piece

A delay in building the wastewater treatment plant has forced Carterville residents to endure overflows and foul odors. Officials say project bids opened recently, but construction has yet to begin. Read the story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/07/15/a...

Reporter @alexnitkin.bsky.social will be on @wbez.org’s Reset today at 12:20 p.m. to discuss ADUs in Chicago. Tune in live here: www.wbez.org And read his story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/g...

NEW: Carterville reported 40 sanitary sewer overflows over the past decade. Residents and officials agree a new wastewater plant would end the spills — but construction is still pending despite a promised start date last year. Read the investigation: illinoisanswers.org/2025/07/15/a...

An investigation by Illinois Answers showed most of Chicago still bans granny flats and political gridlock has stalled broader reform. Now, Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing to legalize them citywide—setting up a key vote at City Council this week. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/g...

“Most drivers aren’t making money. They’re just not. And they’re killing their cars,” said Camila Hudson, a part-time Uber and Lyft driver in Chicago. Some say gig work traps them in unstable, low-paying jobs with no way to get ahead. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/m...

“I have to drive twice as long to make the same money.” App-based gig work, like Uber and Lyft, was supposed to be a lucrative side hustle offering workers freedom and flexibility. Now, drivers say they feel stuck, exploited and unsafe. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/m...

ICYMI: The family of Officer Krystal Rivera — fatally shot in the back by a fellow officer — is demanding an independent investigation and full transparency from CPD. illinoisanswers.org/2025/07/02/f...

New issue includes a great story from @jimdaleywrites.bsky.social as part of the @illinoisanswers.bsky.social Making It in Chicago series, a great look at the challenges Chicagoans are facing in getting ahead. Plus a really nice long review from Albert Williams on a new Angels in America staging

Student loan debt is a crisis in Illinois. With a collective balance of nearly $63 billion, the state is seeking new solutions. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/u...

ICYMI: A Chicago officer who accidentally shot and killed his partner had racked up more than a dozen misconduct complaints in just four years on the force. illinoisanswers.org/2025/06/27/c...

For decades, raw sewage has flooded streets and homes in Southern Illinois. Residents are left waiting while government solutions stall. Watch the video here: youtu.be/O2Ws063pRlE?...

Many senior homeowners turn to reverse mortgages to pay for urgent home repairs. But when the loans come due, families can be left with tough choices—and lasting debt. Read the investigation: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/f...

Some senior homeowners turn to reverse mortgages when they need extra income to repair their homes. But for those who come after them, reverse mortgages can effectively close the door to inheritance. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/f...

Some senior homeowners turn to reverse mortgages when they need extra income to repair their homes… But for those who come after them, reverse mortgages can effectively close the door to inheritance. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/f...

Five dozen Southern Illinois towns saw a third of the state’s sewer overflows over the last decade—but shrinking populations and red tape make fixes elusive. Read the investigation: illinoisanswers.org/2025/06/17/w...

Thousands of Cook County residents are buried under medical debt, meaning many people are delaying life goals, like saving for retirement or the ability to rent an apartment and buy a car. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/c...

While Illinois invests millions in early‑childhood programs, experts say CCAP’s strict eligibility rules and low provider reimbursement leave too many families with no relief. Read the full story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/w...

“We're at the mercy of child care.” Our latest investigation looks into how Illinois puts limits on its child care subsidy far stricter than federal recommendations, excluding tens of thousands of children. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/w...

More than 300 ADUs have been permitted in Chicago since 2021. Most are basement spaces that were converted into apartments, and more than 90% are located on the city's north side. Read our full solutions story on 'Granny Flats' in Chicago here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/g...

Catch the Weekly's investigations editor @jimdaleywrites.bsky.social discussing his reporting collaboration with @illinoisanswers.bsky.social about the connections between divestment, poverty and gun violence on ABC7 abc7chicago.com/post/studies...

Granny flats could help ease Chicago’s housing crunch—adding affordable units without costing taxpayers a dime. But political gridlock is keeping them illegal in most neighborhoods. Read the story from @alexnitkin.bsky.social here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/g...

This popular affordable housing program has shown it can create more low-cost apartments in pricey neighborhoods, at no cost to taxpayers. Political gridlock is keeping it from expanding. Read the story here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/g...

In Chicago’s West Side, residents are tackling gun violence not with more policing, but by investing in jobs, mental health support and community leadership. Read the story with @southsideweekly.bsky.social here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/j...

Chicagoans are taking violence prevention into their own hands, investing in jobs, block clubs and neighborhood programs to address root causes - even as city-backed efforts remain underfunded and scattered. Read the story with @southsideweekly.bsky.social here: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/27/j...

Upward mobility is increasingly out of reach for many Chicagoans as the cost of living skyrockets. We investigated the barriers that stand in the way of getting ahead in Chicago and explored some of the efforts to mitigate them. Read the series here: makingitinchicago.illinoisanswers.org

ICYMI: Under ‘Crime-Free Housing’ Laws, Families May Be Evicted for Minor Offenses With @nytimes.com: illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/13/c...

How have other states tried to address the misuse and abuse of restraint chairs in county jails? This week, we bring you examples from 3 states. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/15/h...

An investigation by @nytimes.com and the Illinois Answers Project shows that many cities in Illinois have turned crime-free housing programs into a blunt instrument to oust families for virtually any alleged infraction, no matter how minor. illinoisanswers.org/2025/05/13/c...