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The Newsroom runs PolitiFact Illinois, the local arm of the nationally renowned, Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking enterprise that rates the truthfulness of statements made by governmental leaders and politicians.

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PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, the Novel Coronavirus Was Not 'Man-Made'

Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford said the novel coronavirus did not occur naturally. In response to our inquiry, she acknowledged she has no proof to back that up.
May 21, 2020 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: LaHood Overstates Chicago’s Share of Illinois COVID-19 Cases

Arguing his region of the state should be allowed to start reopening, the congressman said Chicago accounts for nearly all cases of the novel coronavirus in Illinois. But data show the city makes up less than half of the state’s total.
May 14, 2020 3:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Pelosi Exaggerates Rauner’s Role in Illinois’ Fiscal Woes

Striking back at President Trump, the House Speaker claimed Illinois got into financial problems because of former Gov. Bruce Rauner. But there are many more fingerprints on the shovel that dug the state into the hole.
May 8, 2020 3:30 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Has Illinois Fallen Behind Other States in Testing for the Coronavirus?

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says the state is behind most others when it comes to COVID-19 testing — including all of its neighbors. But data show that while Illinois’ testing rate falls below average nationally, the state is outpacing those that surround it.
Apr 15, 2020 12:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, the Coronavirus Did Not Cause the Death Rate to Drop in Chicago

A Facebook post shared over 2,000 times claimed that COVID-19 lowered the death rate in Chicago. But an analysis of cases from the Cook County medical examiner suggests the opposite.
Apr 3, 2020 1:30 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, Illinois Isn't Banning Alcohol Sales As Part of Coronavirus Response

False claims that Gov. J.B. Pritzker is halting alcohol sales in Illinois originated on a prank page that is being shared on social media.
Mar 30, 2020 5:30 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Did Pritzker Lack Authority to Postpone the Primary?

It’s difficult to know for sure that Pritzker could not have done anything to delay the March 17 election. But experts told us the governor spoke correctly in describing the limits of his powers under existing law.
Mar 24, 2020 12:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Challenger’s Account of Lipinski’s Immigration Record Falls Short

One of U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski’s challengers claims the congressman not only voted against the DREAM Act, but also supports separating families and banning Muslims. That argument is specious.
Mar 8, 2020 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Advocate’s Graduated Tax Comparison Needs More Context

The chairman of the campaign to replace Illinois’ flat income tax with graduated rates said California’s high top rate on millionaires hasn’t driven people from that state. It’s more complicated than that.
Mar 1, 2020 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Lipinski Revives GOP Talking Point on ACA Medicare Change

U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski recently explained his vote against the Affordable Care Act by claiming it took money from Medicare. The landmark health care law reduced future growth in program spending, but it did not take away existing dollars.
Feb 23, 2020 2:00 PM

PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, the Novel Coronavirus Was Not 'Man-Made'

Fact-Check: LaHood Overstates Chicago’s Share of Illinois COVID-19 Cases

Fact-Check: Pelosi Exaggerates Rauner’s Role in Illinois’ Fiscal Woes

Fact-Check: Has Illinois Fallen Behind Other States in Testing for the Coronavirus?

Fact-Check: No, the Coronavirus Did Not Cause the Death Rate to Drop in Chicago

Fact-Check: No, Illinois Isn't Banning Alcohol Sales As Part of Coronavirus Response

Fact-Check: Did Pritzker Lack Authority to Postpone the Primary?

Fact-Check: Challenger’s Account of Lipinski’s Immigration Record Falls Short

Fact-Check: Advocate’s Graduated Tax Comparison Needs More Context

Fact-Check: Lipinski Revives GOP Talking Point on ACA Medicare Change