Illinois 3rd Congressional District candidate Marie Newman claimed incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski helped put the brakes on a law that prevented trains from blocking crossings. In response to our inquiry, her campaign acknowledged that’s not the case.
Follow-Up
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
How Embattled Alderman Solis’ Top Aide Landed Three Jobs
As 25th Ward Ald. Daniel Solis was cooperating in a sweeping federal corruption probe before leaving office last year, a top staffer was building a new career as a bouncer, security guard and as a lobbyist at an Illinois utility company.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Casten Partly Right About Federal Contribution to New Drugs
Speaking in favor of a plan to lower prescription drug costs and increase funding for public research, U.S. Rep. Sean Casten misstated the timeframe but correctly cited the conclusion of a study on the government’s role in creating new medications.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
PolitiFact’s 2019 Lie of the Year
Donald Trump claimed a federal whistleblower got ‘almost completely wrong’ the details of Trump’s call with Ukraine’s president. PolitiFact National names that its Lie of the Year for 2019.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Would Chicago’s Casino Tax Plan Raise City’s Take?
State Sen. Dave Syverson said a proposal to lower the effective tax rate on Chicago’s future casino would require the state to reduce its cut while allowing the city to raise taxes. That doesn’t quite square with the language in the bill.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Ives Wrongly Calls Casten’s Public Town Halls ‘Invite-Only’
In an attack on Democratic Rep. Sean Casten, the GOP congressional hopeful suggested Casten limits access to his public events. Her own evidence belies that claim.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Lightfoot’s Actions on Environmental Campaign Promises Are Off to a Slow Start
Chicago mayor says budget constraints have cooled her ambitious plans. Her 2020 budget includes no new funding for additional pollution inspectors.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Evidence Lacking for Pritzker’s Pension Buyout Claim
The governor said a study estimated the state’s pension buyout program could save up to $25 billion, but his office won’t provide the “proprietary” study.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
CDC To Review Air Pollution Near East St. Louis, Duckworth Says
Illinois senator asked for assessment of toxic releases from Veolia plant, a site profiled in a recent BGA story about President Trump’s diminished EPA.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Trump Rolls Back EPA Oversight in Midwest, Favoring Polluters
EPA inspections and staff levels plunge in the Chicago regional office as regulations are abandoned and policy favors job creation over clean air and water. The Midwest is among the areas hit hardest by the cutbacks, with inspections down 60% since Trump took office.