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Investigations

The Newsroom produces deeply researched investigative stories that shine a light on abuses of power and waste within government.

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Investigation

Small Town Government, Chicago-style Politics

Lyons’ mayor, son of the former town boss who went to prison, is building clout in the western suburbs amid claims of cozy deals, including the purchase of his own house.
May 22, 2019 9:00 PM
Investigation

In Illinois, Cars And Trucks Top Coal As Biggest Global Warming Contributor

Drivers, Amazon deliveries and Uber rides are now the biggest source of greenhouse gases, presenting a new challenge for policy.
May 19, 2019 6:00 AM
Investigation

How Many Of Chicago's 77,000 Big Buildings Recycle? Nobody Knows.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to take recycling to Chicago's high-rises and commercial buildings has fallen short because of lax enforcement and a series of bureaucratic snafus.
May 8, 2019 6:00 AM
Investigation

Ald. Ed Burke's Wave of Ward Projects Boosted His Legal Practice, Powered His Re-election

Burke touted development deals for his 14th Ward in winning a February re-election despite the cloud of federal corruption charges. A BGA investigation found Burke’s law firm had financial ties to most of those deals.
Apr 26, 2019 6:00 AM
Investigation

Auxiliary Officers Pose Risks in Illinois Towns

Armed with guns and badges but little training, civilian officers provide a less-expensive alternative for law enforcement agencies. But problems at some local departments help illustrate a controversial issue shaded by nepotism, politics and questionable policing.
Apr 17, 2019 10:00 PM
Investigation

Bad Police Fingerprint Work Undermines Chicago Property Crime Cases

Experts and judges question the quality of fingerprint analysis by Chicago police forensics, hampering prosecutions in burglary and theft cases.
Mar 12, 2019 6:00 AM
Investigation

Las Contradicciones De Emanuel Frente a La Industria Contaminante

Un análisis hecho por BGA/Medill revela que las acciones de vigilancia para el cumplimiento de la ley ambiental disminuyeron bajo los dos mandatos del alcalde. El número de inspectores se recortó cuando el alcalde redujo costos.
Mar 4, 2019 11:55 AM
Investigation

Emanuel Soft on Chicago Polluters Despite Tough Talk

A BGA/Medill analysis shows environmental enforcement declined under the two-term mayor. City inspection staff was slashed as mayor cut costs.
Feb 22, 2019 5:00 AM
Investigation

Chicago Public Schools to Pay $4M in Special Ed Teen's Drowning

Documents released after a judge lifts a publication ban against the BGA offer new details about failed oversight, warnings that were ignored and "mayhem" at high school pool on the Southwest Side in 2017.
Feb 8, 2019 5:00 AM
Investigation

Cook Judge Bars Publication of Documents About Student Drowning, Raising Free Press Concerns

After CPS lawyer provides BGA with internal records about drowning death of teen with autism, a Cook County judge issues order temporarily prohibiting publication. School district lawyers say they released the documents by mistake.
Feb 7, 2019 5:00 AM

Investigations

Small Town Government, Chicago-style Politics

In Illinois, Cars And Trucks Top Coal As Biggest Global Warming Contributor

How Many Of Chicago's 77,000 Big Buildings Recycle? Nobody Knows.

Ald. Ed Burke's Wave of Ward Projects Boosted His Legal Practice, Powered His Re-election

Auxiliary Officers Pose Risks in Illinois Towns

Bad Police Fingerprint Work Undermines Chicago Property Crime Cases

Las Contradicciones De Emanuel Frente a La Industria Contaminante

Emanuel Soft on Chicago Polluters Despite Tough Talk

Chicago Public Schools to Pay $4M in Special Ed Teen's Drowning

Cook Judge Bars Publication of Documents About Student Drowning, Raising Free Press Concerns

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