Newsroom

PolitiFact

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.

RSS

PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Durkin Off-base in Claim about Illinois Infrastructure Woes

While defending new tax and fee hikes for state capital projects, the House Republican leader said a bridge in Joliet is in such bad shape that school buses are prohibited from crossing it.
Jun 16, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Lightfoot Spreads Rumor That Police Union Told Cops Not to Police

Following a bloody Memorial Day weekend, Chicago’s new mayor shared an unverified rumor that the union representing thousands of rank-and-file officers may have told cops not to perform their sworn duties.
Jun 9, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, Pritzker-like Tax Rates Did Not Drive Wealthy From New York

The number of New York filers with income over $200,000 has increased every year since that state raised rates on top earnings to levels similar to those Illinois lawmakers are considering.
May 30, 2019 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Pritzker’s Latest Sweeping Tax Claim Falls Flat

Many graduated-tax states have outpaced Illinois’ economic growth in recent years. So has nearly every other flat-tax state.
May 19, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Cassidy Puffs Up What Stats Say About Teen Marijuana Use

The Democratic lawmaker says fewer teens smoke pot after it is legalized for adult use, but data from states where it’s allowed is inconclusive at best.
May 12, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Righter’s Wrong about Illinois Wage Hike Costing 50,000 Jobs

The state senator from Mattoon has it backwards: Illinois gained nearly 50,000 jobs the year after its previous wage increase was signed into law.
May 5, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Congress Hopeful’s Paycheck Claim Bounces

Newman's claim accurately reflects the results of the single survey she is relying on, but it appears to be an outlier among similar polls.
Updated: Apr 30, 2019 @ 1:40 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Pritzker-backed Group Strays From Facts in Income-tax Claim

Illinois is one of just nine states that tax income at a flat rate. But a graduated tax system alone doesn’t guarantee the wealthy pay a higher rate.
Apr 21, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Emanuel Blows Smoke About Cigarette Use Among Chicago Teens

There has been a major decline in the share of Chicago high schoolers who smoke cigarettes, but the city doesn't come close to leading the nation.
Apr 14, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, Chicago Isn’t 'Often Bailed Out’ by State Taxpayers

Experts we spoke with summed up the claim as a “myth,” “clearly not true,” and “total nonsense.”
Apr 7, 2019 2:00 PM

PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Durkin Off-base in Claim about Illinois Infrastructure Woes

Fact-Check: Lightfoot Spreads Rumor That Police Union Told Cops Not to Police

Fact-Check: No, Pritzker-like Tax Rates Did Not Drive Wealthy From New York

Fact-Check: Pritzker’s Latest Sweeping Tax Claim Falls Flat

Fact-Check: Cassidy Puffs Up What Stats Say About Teen Marijuana Use

Fact-Check: Righter’s Wrong about Illinois Wage Hike Costing 50,000 Jobs

Fact-Check: Congress Hopeful’s Paycheck Claim Bounces

Fact-Check: Pritzker-backed Group Strays From Facts in Income-tax Claim

Fact-Check: Emanuel Blows Smoke About Cigarette Use Among Chicago Teens

Fact-Check: No, Chicago Isn’t 'Often Bailed Out’ by State Taxpayers