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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: 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: Have Carbon Emissions Increased Under Trump?

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky is correct the nation has seen an increase in emissions in the time since Trump took office. After a significant spike in 2018, however, emissions fell again last year.
Feb 16, 2020 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, Casten Did Not Call for Trump’s Impeachment Before Mueller Report Release

Congressional candidate Jeanne Ives claimed U.S. Rep. Sean Casten came out in support of impeaching President Trump before the Mueller report was even released. That’s not the case.
Feb 6, 2020 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Pritzker Says Illinois’ Unemployment Rate Dropped More Than Other Big States

During his State of the State address, Gov. J.B. Pritzker claimed Illinois reduced its unemployment rate more than any of the nation’s other big states and its Midwestern neighbors. That checks out, but needs some additional information.
Feb 2, 2020 2:00 PM

PolitiFact

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

Fact-Check: Have Carbon Emissions Increased Under Trump?

Fact-Check: No, Casten Did Not Call for Trump’s Impeachment Before Mueller Report Release

Fact-Check: Pritzker Says Illinois’ Unemployment Rate Dropped More Than Other Big States