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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: Casten Overblows Heat Wave Claim to Support More Action on Climate Change

The congressman mislabeled Chicago’s 1995 heat wave as the nation’s deadliest “single-day, non-war” pre-9/11 disaster and said the city is “now expecting” temperatures that high every summer. That ignores some critical facts.
Sep 1, 2021 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, Chicago Police Officer Ella French Didn’t Leave Behind an Infant Child

Ella French’s brother and Chicago Police Supt. David Brown have both said claims circulating online that French had a child and recently returned from maternity leave are inaccurate.
Aug 10, 2021 4:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, Pelosi Was Not Calling All the Shots for Capitol Security Officials on Jan. 6

During a GOP press conference ahead of a House probe into the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois claimed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was in charge of all actions taken by Capitol security leadership that day. That’s highly misleading.
Aug 5, 2021 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: States Can Use ARPA Money to Replenish Unemployment Funds, Contrary to Pritzker’s Claim

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he wasn’t considering using American Rescue Plan Act dollars to address a major deficit in the state’s unemployment insurance fund because federal rules prohibit it. His office told us he misspoke.
Jul 30, 2021 4:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Downstate Senator Wrong on Medicaid Eligibility for Illinois Undocumented Immigrants

The state created a program to provide healthcare benefits to noncitizens at least 55 years old who are ineligible for Medicaid. But despite assertions from Republican state Sen. Terri Bryant, those individuals must meet the same income criteria as qualifying citizens.
Jul 20, 2021 11:00 AM
PolitiFact

Verificación De Hechos: No, Los Tribunales Penales Del Condado De Cook No Han Estado “Cerrados” Durante 15 Meses

Si bien los juicios con jurado se pospusieron hasta finales de marzo de este año, el sistema judicial ha continuado con sus otras operaciones durante la pandemia, contrario a lo que afirmó la alcaldesa de Chicago, Lori Lightfoot.
Jul 12, 2021 10:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, Cook County Criminal Courts Haven’t Been ‘Shut Down’ for 15 Months

While jury trials were postponed until late March this year, the court system has continued its other operations during the pandemic, contrary to what Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot claimed.
Jul 4, 2021 12:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, Southern Illinois’ Prairie State Is Not the Nation’s ‘Cleanest’ Coal Plant

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to allow Prairie State Energy Campus to stay open, calling it the cleanest coal-fired power plant in the U.S. That’s way off base.
Jun 27, 2021 12:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Did GOP Lawmakers Push for Independent Map Commission?

Democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the state’s minority party didn’t make any effort to get an independent group to redraw Illinois’ legislative districts. That ignores legislation proposed and promoted by the GOP.
Jun 11, 2021 5:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Yes, Large Majorities Support Elected Chicago School Board

Allowing Chicago voters to choose the members of the city’s board of education has received overwhelming support in polls, referendums and legislative votes for years.
May 23, 2021 2:00 PM

PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Casten Overblows Heat Wave Claim to Support More Action on Climate Change

Fact-Check: No, Chicago Police Officer Ella French Didn’t Leave Behind an Infant Child

Fact-Check: No, Pelosi Was Not Calling All the Shots for Capitol Security Officials on Jan. 6

Fact-Check: States Can Use ARPA Money to Replenish Unemployment Funds, Contrary to Pritzker’s Claim

Fact-Check: Downstate Senator Wrong on Medicaid Eligibility for Illinois Undocumented Immigrants

Verificación De Hechos: No, Los Tribunales Penales Del Condado De Cook No Han Estado “Cerrados” Durante 15 Meses

Fact-Check: No, Cook County Criminal Courts Haven’t Been ‘Shut Down’ for 15 Months

Fact-Check: No, Southern Illinois’ Prairie State Is Not the Nation’s ‘Cleanest’ Coal Plant

Fact-Check: Did GOP Lawmakers Push for Independent Map Commission?

Fact-Check: Yes, Large Majorities Support Elected Chicago School Board