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: Has Trump Encouraged an Unprecedented Number of Migrants to Seek Asylum at the Border?

U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin says the president’s hardline immigration stance has driven more migrants to seek asylum protections at the border than ever before. There has been a surge, but the Trump connection is far from clear.
Updated: Jul 29, 2019 @ 9:30 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Mendoza’s Comparison of Indiana and Illinois Gasoline Taxes Veers Off Course

While defending Illinois’ recent gas tax hike, the state comptroller claimed Indiana still charges drivers more. Her office now acknowledges that was wrong.
Jul 21, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Pritzker’s Capital Spending Claim Raises Questions Though Parts Track With Past Practices

The Chicago governor contended the bulk of his $45 billion capital plan will flow to Downstate districts. Not all the evidence is in yet to evaluate that.
Jul 14, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: FOP Attack on Consent Decrees Falls Short

The head of the city’s police union claims studies show consent decrees reining in officer conduct are unsuccessful and are often followed by an uptick in crime.
Jun 30, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Brady’s Muddled Attack on Pritzker’s Tax Plan

While critiquing a Democratic plan to replace Illinois’ flat income tax with graduated rates, the Senate Republican leader claimed the state lost more middle-class families than any other income group after the last tax hike.
Jun 23, 2019 2:00 PM
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: Has Trump Encouraged an Unprecedented Number of Migrants to Seek Asylum at the Border?

Fact-Check: Mendoza’s Comparison of Indiana and Illinois Gasoline Taxes Veers Off Course

Pritzker’s Capital Spending Claim Raises Questions Though Parts Track With Past Practices

Fact-Check: FOP Attack on Consent Decrees Falls Short

Fact-Check: Brady’s Muddled Attack on Pritzker’s Tax Plan

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