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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

Chicago’s Push to Buy Computers for Remote Learning Hit Snags. New Challenges Await This Fall.

Illinois districts face looming tech costs, fiscal uncertainty.
Aug 28, 2020 6:00 AM
Investigation

Vence Obstáculos, El Empeño de Chicago en Comprar Computadoras para El Aprendizaje por Remoto. Nuevos Retos para Este Otoño.

Los distritos de Illinois enfrentan inminentes costos tecnológicos, inseguridad fiscal.
Aug 28, 2020 5:59 AM
Investigation

Cabrini-Green: A History of Broken Promises

Transforming Chicago’s most famous public housing complex will cost taxpayers $2 billion. It also came with often-unkept promises of jobs, city contracts and homes for those forced from the neighborhood.
Aug 11, 2020 6:00 AM
Investigation

Top Legislators Blowing Past Limits in Illinois Campaign Finance Reform Law

Democrats violate the spirit of a law they authored. Republicans take advantage of loopholes in legislation they opposed. Both sides reap millions from big-money contributors and dole out cash to favored legislative candidates.
Aug 7, 2020 6:00 AM
Investigation

Poderosos Funcionarios Electos Exceden los Límites en Contribuciones Políticas

Los demócratas han destrozado el propósito de la ley que ellos mismos crearon. Los republicanos se han aprovechado de un resquicio legal al que ellos mismos se opusieron cuando la ley se creó. Ambos partidos han recaudado millones de dólares en contribuciones.
Aug 7, 2020 5:59 AM
Investigation

Police Shootings in Suburbs Seldom Scrutinized or Punished

The debate over police actions, tactics and discipline may seem like a big-city problem, but in the Cook County suburbs high-profile cases show a pattern of no discipline or criminal charges for officers.
Jul 31, 2020 6:00 AM
Investigation

Tiroteos Policiales en Suburbios Son Rara Vez Investigados o Sancionados

El debate sobre las acciones policiales, las tácticas y la disciplina puede parecer un problema de las grandes ciudades, pero en los suburbios del condado de Cook los casos de alto perfil muestran un patrón de no disciplina o cargos criminales para los oficiales.
Jul 31, 2020 5:59 AM
Investigation

Lawmakers in Hot Water With Feds Get Campaign Cash That Helps Pay Defense Lawyers

In one of his last acts, now-retired Illinois Senate President John Cullerton OK’d sending nearly $100,000 to two state senators under federal investigation.
May 22, 2020 5:30 AM
Investigation

Needle Exchange Programs Cutting Back During Coronavirus Crisis

Programs started in the 1980s to slow the spread of the HIV epidemic are now scaling back because of COVID-19, a move some experts say could create a new challenge in fighting the deadly outbreak.
May 7, 2020 6:00 AM
Investigation

Even Before Federal COVID-19 Rescue Checks Arrive, Illinois Schools Spend Tens of Millions on Technology

Despite push, some students still lack devices, and some districts aren’t providing data about who’s logging on.
May 6, 2020 3:00 PM

Investigations

Chicago’s Push to Buy Computers for Remote Learning Hit Snags. New Challenges Await This Fall.

Vence Obstáculos, El Empeño de Chicago en Comprar Computadoras para El Aprendizaje por Remoto. Nuevos Retos para Este Otoño.

Cabrini-Green: A History of Broken Promises

Top Legislators Blowing Past Limits in Illinois Campaign Finance Reform Law

Poderosos Funcionarios Electos Exceden los Límites en Contribuciones Políticas

Police Shootings in Suburbs Seldom Scrutinized or Punished

Tiroteos Policiales en Suburbios Son Rara Vez Investigados o Sancionados

Lawmakers in Hot Water With Feds Get Campaign Cash That Helps Pay Defense Lawyers

Needle Exchange Programs Cutting Back During Coronavirus Crisis

Even Before Federal COVID-19 Rescue Checks Arrive, Illinois Schools Spend Tens of Millions on Technology

Featured articles

Oregon Is First State to Ticket Narcotics Users, but New Reform Has Yet To Live Up To Promise

A Veteran Cook County Judge Has Been Repeatedly Blocked from Hearing Sex Offense Cases. Here’s Why.

City Says About $600 Million More Is Needed to Finish Cabrini-Green’s Transformation