As part of a corruption probe lasting years, the longtime house speaker is charged with a conspiracy to use his vast power atop Illinois government to enrich himself, his law firm and his vast political patronage army.
Investigation
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Former Veterans’ Affairs Chief Wrote Checks Totaling $50,000 to Her Mom From Her Political Fund
Following BGA inquiries, Linda Chapa LaVia said the money was to repay a 20-year-old loan. She returned the money to her political account after officials at the state board of elections raised questions about why the loan was never disclosed.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Pritzker Trust Bought Stock in a Top Illinois Contractor After He Was Elected Governor
Purchase of stock highlights weakness of Pritzker’s blind-trust arrangement in preventing conflicts of interest for billionaire governor’s holdings.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
State Rep. Blaine Wilhour Claims No ‘Observational or Clinical Data’ Exists Proving Benefits of Masks in K-12 Schools
Illinois state Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City, said there is absolutely no observed or clinical data to indicate any benefit to masking K-12 students. No clinical data is available to date, but a health expert says there is plenty of observational data out there.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Fact-Check: Pritzker’s Mostly Correct About Illinois’ Vaccination Claims
Gov. Pritzker said “a larger percentage of Illinoisans have been vaccinated,” compared to the rest of the Midwest. That’s mostly true but when it comes to those who are fully vaccinated, Minnesota is the region’s top performer.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
Concerns — and Campaign Plans — Mount As Chicago Remap Battle Drags On
Chicago’s once-per-decade fight to redraw its ward boundaries has lasted months and there’s still no agreement, sparking preliminary referendum plans and fears about a costly court battle.
Posted inCivic Engagement, Follow-Up, Investigation
Projects With Madigan Ties Went to the Front of the Line in State’s Massive Rebuild Illinois List
The $45 billion statewide capital plan includes $4 billion in pet projects added by a handful of the state’s most powerful politicians, including the former speaker.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
FBI Investigating Vaccinations At Loretto Hospital CEO’s Suburban Church
The probe focuses on the city’s role in vaccinations done at the suburban church when West Siders were struggling to get their shots.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation, PolitiFact
PolitiFact’s 2021 Lie of the Year
PolitiFact National names lies about the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and its significance as the Lie of the Year.
Posted inFollow-Up, Investigation
Cabrini-Green Residents Were Promised 2,500 Construction Jobs. They Got 40
To quell a rising controversy 25 years ago that threatened to derail his grand plan to raze the public housing complex, Mayor Richard M. Daley made promises to the residents he was kicking out — including jobs.