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Investigation

Pressure on Property Taxes Mounts for Towns Across Illinois Amid Pension Burden

Police and fire pension costs in towns and larger cities outside Chicago have grown at a greater rate than property taxes. That is forcing some city leaders to make tough decisions on services and staff.
Oct 30, 2019 6:00 AM
Investigation

Storms, Flooding Hit Poorest Communities Hardest

In the Chicago area, flooding has often disproportionately hit the south suburbs, particularly low-income communities. And it’s going to get worse with climate change.
Sep 27, 2019 7:00 AM
Investigation

Millions in Tax Breaks for Ed Burke’s Law Clients Fronted by Fellow Aldermen

Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson and former Ald. Michael R. Zalewski sponsored six resolutions that benefited clients of Burke's law firm. The moves allowed the now-indicted alderman to skirt city conflict-of-interest rules.
Sep 13, 2019 5:30 AM
Investigation

Spiral of Decline Heavy Burden for Homeowners

In Cook County suburbs, home values are collapsing while property taxes are up.
Jul 26, 2019 7:00 AM
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

Pressure on Property Taxes Mounts for Towns Across Illinois Amid Pension Burden

Storms, Flooding Hit Poorest Communities Hardest

Millions in Tax Breaks for Ed Burke’s Law Clients Fronted by Fellow Aldermen

Spiral of Decline Heavy Burden for Homeowners

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

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