Mayor Lori Lightfoot, already worried about the city losing billions of dollars in the 2020 headcount, worked to boost participation in undercounted communities. Now COVID-19 is creating a major new hurdle.
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Posted inWhat the Gov
What the Gov: What Is Behind Governments’ Ability to Keep Restaurants and Bars Closed?
Pritzker this week ordered restaurants closed for dine-in customers. How can he do that and what does the public need to know about how the closures are enforced?
Posted inWhat the Gov
What The Gov: What Questions Do You Have About How Government in Illinois Is Responding to Coronavirus?
What unanswered questions do you have about how public officials in Chicago, Cook County and Illinois are responding to the COVID-19 outbreak? Ask them and our BGA reporters may answer them.
Posted inEvents
RESCHEDULED: 2020 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting
Regretfully, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, this year’s awards ceremony will be rescheduled for mid-July. We look forward to bringing together outstanding journalists and those who appreciate their work at that time. Stay tuned for details.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Lightfoot Facing Off Against ComEd Over the Future
With agreement between City Hall and the power company expiring this year, the mayor is focusing on internal study and federal investigation as leverage.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Challenger’s Account of Lipinski’s Immigration Record Falls Short
One of U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski’s challengers claims the congressman not only voted against the DREAM Act, but also supports separating families and banning Muslims. That argument is specious.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Advocate’s Graduated Tax Comparison Needs More Context
The chairman of the campaign to replace Illinois’ flat income tax with graduated rates said California’s high top rate on millionaires hasn’t driven people from that state. It’s more complicated than that.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Student Protesters Demand Lightfoot Live Up To Campaign Promises on Environmental Protection
Members of several youth groups protested outside the mayor’s City Hall offices to call for Lightfoot to reinstate a city department of environment to fight pollution and address climate change.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Lipinski Revives GOP Talking Point on ACA Medicare Change
U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski recently explained his vote against the Affordable Care Act by claiming it took money from Medicare. The landmark health care law reduced future growth in program spending, but it did not take away existing dollars.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
‘It’s A Fixed Cost. That’s All I Ask’: A Politician’s Pitch For Campaign Cash
While seeking a tax break from Cook County, a suburban factory owner says he felt pressured into contributing to a county commissioner’s campaign fund.