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Investigations

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Investigation

Parents, Advocates Want Special Education Classroom Assistants in Required Meetings

Parents have complained about the school system’s lack of inclusion of the classroom assistants — who best know their children and their needs — in the decision-making process.
Sep 20, 2022 6:00 AM
Investigation

Out-of-State Abortions in Illinois Already Breaking Records

Surrounded by states enacting bans or severe restrictions, Illinois is poised to become a place where out-of-state patients and practitioners seek refuge. Politicians and advocates are seeking ways to welcome what they say could be a record-setting demand for the controversial procedure.
Sep 13, 2022 6:00 AM
Investigation

Pritzker’s Personal Fortune Intersects With State Contracts

The governor’s promises to divest his vast portfolio of state contractors have not extended to his so-called blind trust, which has the governor’s money in at least a dozen companies with billions in state business
Aug 30, 2022 6:00 AM
Investigation

City Claims on Anti-Violence Program Are Overblown

Mayor Lightfoot’s choice to lead the city’s campaign against gun-crime has a history of hyperbole, both about her efforts to confront Chicago’s greatest crisis and her own career.
Aug 3, 2022 6:00 AM
Investigation

City Agencies Fail To Intervene Before Three Older Women Die in Uncooled Apartment Building

Tenants of the Rogers Park complex see the limitations of the city’s 311 complaint hotline as City Council adopts new rules requiring air conditioning units in senior buildings.
Jun 30, 2022 6:00 AM
Investigation

Former State Health Director Ezike Under Scrutiny by the State’s Top Ethics Investigator

Public health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike connected with ordinary people nearly every day during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now she is CEO of a top state medical contractor. Did Dr. Ezike’s quick switch violate the state Ethics Act?
Jun 10, 2022 6:00 AM
Investigation

Foster Children Held in Jails, Shelters — Workers Threatened, Attacked: A State Agency in Crisis

One juvenile court judge asked: “What does a judge do when the department basically abuses a child?” Besieged Illinois child welfare director Marc Smith speaks out in a rare and passionate defense of his tenure, saying “every effort is being made” to protect children and workers.
May 26, 2022 6:00 AM
Investigation

Illinois Pension Funds Are Slow To Pull Out of Russian Assets

Despite a public outcry following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, legislation designed to force divestment languished unpassed in the Spring session of the Illinois General Assembly. Lawmakers say they intend to take the issue up again in the Fall.
May 5, 2022 6:00 AM
Investigation

Security Cameras Scarce in Parks with Most Reported Crimes

Only 16 of the 600 parks in city neighborhoods have security cameras, but many of them are in white, wealthy neighborhoods without much of a crime problem. Many parks in higher-crime areas, including more neighborhoods of color, have no cameras at all despite requests from residents.
Apr 21, 2022 6:00 AM
Investigation

Ald. Walter Burnett Softened Stance on Affordable Housing After Cash Flowed

Developer Onni Group wanted out of its obligation to include affordable units in its luxury Old Town highrises. Onni paid a Burnett friend more than $417,000 to lobby City Hall, helped sponsor a Burnett fundraiser and pledged $25,000 to a charity run by Burnett’s wife. Some tenants said the alderman abandoned them.
Apr 12, 2022 6:00 AM

Investigations

Parents, Advocates Want Special Education Classroom Assistants in Required Meetings

Out-of-State Abortions in Illinois Already Breaking Records

Pritzker’s Personal Fortune Intersects With State Contracts

City Claims on Anti-Violence Program Are Overblown

City Agencies Fail To Intervene Before Three Older Women Die in Uncooled Apartment Building

Former State Health Director Ezike Under Scrutiny by the State’s Top Ethics Investigator

Foster Children Held in Jails, Shelters — Workers Threatened, Attacked: A State Agency in Crisis

Illinois Pension Funds Are Slow To Pull Out of Russian Assets

Security Cameras Scarce in Parks with Most Reported Crimes

Ald. Walter Burnett Softened Stance on Affordable Housing After Cash Flowed

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