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Investigations

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Investigation

How Embattled Alderman Solis’ Top Aide Landed Three Jobs

As 25th Ward Ald. Daniel Solis was cooperating in a sweeping federal corruption probe before leaving office last year, a top staffer was building a new career as a bouncer, security guard and as a lobbyist at an Illinois utility company.
Jan 13, 2020 6:00 AM
Investigation

Lightfoot’s Actions on Environmental Campaign Promises Are Off to a Slow Start

Chicago mayor says budget constraints have cooled her ambitious plans. Her 2020 budget includes no new funding for additional pollution inspectors.
Dec 5, 2019 6:00 AM
Investigation

Trump Rolls Back EPA Oversight in Midwest, Favoring Polluters

EPA inspections and staff levels plunge in the Chicago regional office as regulations are abandoned and policy favors job creation over clean air and water. The Midwest is among the areas hit hardest by the cutbacks, with inspections down 60% since Trump took office.
Updated: Nov 18, 2019 @ 10:30 AM
Investigation

ComEd Kept Paying Madigan Confidant After Retirement Announcement

The power company paid $361,000 in 2017 and 2018 to a clout-heavy ex-lobbyist whose home was raided by the feds in May.
Nov 13, 2019 9:54 AM
Investigation

Neighborhoods Face Extinction As Floods Increase

Illinois towns paying the price for repeated cleanups consider buying out residents and converting homesteads to wetlands and parks.
Nov 11, 2019 5:00 AM
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

Cabrini-Green Residents Were Promised 2,500 Construction Jobs. They Got 40

To quell a rising controversy 25 years ago that threatened to derail his grand plan to raze the public housing complex, Mayor Richard M. Daley made promises to the residents he was kicking out — including jobs.
Aug 1, 2019 6:00 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

Investigations

How Embattled Alderman Solis’ Top Aide Landed Three Jobs

Lightfoot’s Actions on Environmental Campaign Promises Are Off to a Slow Start

Trump Rolls Back EPA Oversight in Midwest, Favoring Polluters

ComEd Kept Paying Madigan Confidant After Retirement Announcement

Neighborhoods Face Extinction As Floods Increase

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

Cabrini-Green Residents Were Promised 2,500 Construction Jobs. They Got 40

Spiral of Decline Heavy Burden for Homeowners

Featured articles

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