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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: 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: No ‘Jobs Tax’ in Pritzker’s Tax Plan, Despite What Attack Ad Claims

Pritzker is calling for a switch to a graduated-rate income tax — not a ‘jobs tax’ — and has proposed a rate structure that would hold the line for all but the wealthiest earners.
Mar 31, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Fact-checking Lightfoot’s Record on Police Discipline

The mayoral finalist’s percentages check out, but they don’t tell the full story.
Updated: Mar 25, 2019 @ 5:22 PM
PolitiFact

Preckwinkle Repeats Urban Myth About Third-Grade Test Scores, Prison Beds

The mayoral candidate isn’t wrong to suggest a link between academic achievement and crime — but student scores aren’t used to predict prison needs.
Mar 24, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Preckwinkle Undersells Affordable Housing Program’s Track Record

There’s some truth to the mayoral finalist’s broader argument, but her claim itself misses the mark.
Mar 17, 2019 2:00 PM

PolitiFact

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

Fact-Check: No ‘Jobs Tax’ in Pritzker’s Tax Plan, Despite What Attack Ad Claims

Fact-Check: Fact-checking Lightfoot’s Record on Police Discipline

Preckwinkle Repeats Urban Myth About Third-Grade Test Scores, Prison Beds

Fact-Check: Preckwinkle Undersells Affordable Housing Program’s Track Record