Newsroom

Investigations

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

RSS

Investigation

O’Hare’s Billions in Broken Promises

For more than 50 years, the airport has been plagued by corruption and costly delays. The politically connected cash in. Meanwhile, passengers trudge through a transit hub that persistently underperforms.
Jul 24, 2019 6:00 AM
Investigation

Timeline: History of Connections, Corruption at O’Hare

Since the beginning, O’Hare International Airport has been plagued by political connections, corruption schemes, even mob ties.
Jul 24, 2019 6:00 AM
Investigation

What Was Promised vs. What O’Hare Got

As O’Hare International Airport grew to one of the busiest transportation hubs in the world, it has left in its wake a track record of costly delays, billions in spending, and decades of broken promises.
Jul 24, 2019 6:00 AM
Investigation

Feds Search for Michael Madigan Records at Home of Retired Alderman, Sources Say

In a related move, the feds subpoenaed utility giant Commonwealth Edison about the company’s state government lobbying activity.
Jul 12, 2019 5:25 PM
Investigation

Censo genera miedo sobre pregunta de ciudadanía

Aún cuando el gobierno de Trump ha enfrentado obstáculos por preguntar en el conteo del 2020, si todos los que viven en el país son ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos, expertos y personas con familiares indocumentados, temen que los inmigrantes ya tengan menos probabilidades de participar — con enormes desafíos financieros para Chicago e Illinois.
Updated: Jul 8, 2019 @ 9:10 AM
Investigation

Census Stirs Fears Regardless of Citizenship Question

Even as the Trump administration has confronted setbacks about asking if everyone is a U.S. citizen in the 2020 headcount, experts and families with undocumented members fear immigrants already are less likely to participate — with enormous financial stakes for Chicago and Illinois.
Updated: Jul 4, 2019 @ 6:10 AM
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

Investigations

O’Hare’s Billions in Broken Promises

Timeline: History of Connections, Corruption at O’Hare

What Was Promised vs. What O’Hare Got

Feds Search for Michael Madigan Records at Home of Retired Alderman, Sources Say

Censo genera miedo sobre pregunta de ciudadanía

Census Stirs Fears Regardless of Citizenship Question

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

Featured articles

O’Hare’s Billions in Broken Promises

How Dolton, Illinois Reflects America's Changing Suburbs in 2018

As Tons of Chicago Recycling Go to Dumps, a Private Firm Is Paid Twice