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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, Underwood Did Not Call Riots ‘Beautiful’

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood’s GOP challenger is out with an ad that uses a clip of the congresswoman talking about protests for racial justice to inaccurately suggest she supports violence.
Oct 11, 2020 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Will Large and Small Illinois Businesses Pay More Under the Graduated Tax Plan?

The wealthiest small business owners in Illinois will pay more taxes if voters approve the proposal. But they won’t see any more of an increase than their counterparts in other professions.
Oct 4, 2020 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, U.S. Economy Not Worst In World By ‘A Factor Of Three’

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin made the dubious claim while criticizing the Trump administration’s COVID-19 response during a radio appearance last month.
Sep 27, 2020 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No Link Between Fake IDs Seized at O'Hare and Voter Fraud

A viral Facebook post claims nearly 20,000 fake state driver's licenses seized at O'Hare International Airport were all for voters registered as Democrats. But the counterfeit IDs have not been linked to Democrats or voter fraud in any way.
Sep 10, 2020 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, USPS Isn’t Operating With a Multibillion Dollar Surplus

U.S. Representative Darin LaHood said he voted against legislation to infuse the postal service with $25 billion because the agency is operating with “a $12 billion surplus.” But USPS has operated at a net loss since 2007.
Sep 6, 2020 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, an Illinois Couple Who Received Five Vote-by-mail Applications Cannot Vote Five Times.

A viral Facebook post incorrectly asserts an Illinois couple who received multiple unsolicited ballot applications can ask for them all and fraudulently vote with them all. They cannot, and neither can anyone else.
Aug 18, 2020 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Pritzker’s Mostly Correct About Illinois’ Historic Unemployment Spike

Speaking to the challenges the state unemployment system faced when COVID-19 struck, Gov. Pritzker said unemployment claims topped numbers seen during the Great Recession many times over. His estimate is in the ballpark.
Aug 14, 2020 3:30 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: It’s Not Against the Law to Carry a Firearm While Wearing a Face Mask

False claims being shared on social media trace back to a longstanding Illinois prohibition on individuals carrying a firearm while wearing a face covering to conceal their identity.
Jul 9, 2020 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Attack Ad Wrongly Claims Pritzker Hiked Politicians’ Pay During Pandemic

A TV ad from a local right-wing group says the governor “gave huge pay raises” to politicians this year. While it’s possible state lawmakers could sue to receive an increase, that’s not because of Pritzker.
Jul 3, 2020 6:00 AM
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: No, Underwood Did Not Call Riots ‘Beautiful’

Fact-Check: Will Large and Small Illinois Businesses Pay More Under the Graduated Tax Plan?

Fact-Check: No, U.S. Economy Not Worst In World By ‘A Factor Of Three’

Fact-Check: No Link Between Fake IDs Seized at O'Hare and Voter Fraud

Fact-Check: No, USPS Isn’t Operating With a Multibillion Dollar Surplus

Fact-Check: No, an Illinois Couple Who Received Five Vote-by-mail Applications Cannot Vote Five Times.

Fact-Check: Pritzker’s Mostly Correct About Illinois’ Historic Unemployment Spike

Fact-Check: It’s Not Against the Law to Carry a Firearm While Wearing a Face Mask

Fact-Check: Attack Ad Wrongly Claims Pritzker Hiked Politicians’ Pay During Pandemic

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