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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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Fact-Check: The Trouble With Mendoza’s Attempt to Pin Illinois’ Budget Crisis on Daley

Mendoza’s ad links rival Bill Daley to the protracted budget crisis that occurred under former Gov. Bruce Rauner in a claim that boils down to guilt by association.
Feb 17, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Preckwinkle Misrepresents Mendoza’s Death Penalty Stand

Preckwinkle’s ad implies one of her rivals, Susana Mendoza, opposed ending the death penalty as a state lawmaker. But in 2011 Mendoza voted to abolish — not continue — the practice.
Feb 10, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Chico's Soda Tax Swipe at Mendoza Falls Flat

As a state lawmaker, Mendoza supported a major capital bill that increased sales taxes on soft drinks and other common convenience store items to help fund the project. But the law didn’t create a designated soda tax as Chico suggests.
Feb 3, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Did McCarthy Rein in Chicago's High Murder Rate?

Murders hit new lows during some of the years McCarthy ran the Chicago police, but they spiked in others.
Jan 27, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Did Chico Cut Waste and Slash Taxes During His City Colleges Stint?

City Colleges did make cuts under Chico’s watch, but the property tax reductions were underwhelming and records show the decision to slash them preceded him.
Jan 20, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Preckwinkle Inflates Role in Shedding Light on McDonald Case

As Cook County Board President, Preckwinkle shared details from McDonald’s autopsy with a journalist. But we could find no record of her pushing for release of the video before a judge ordered it.
Jan 15, 2019 3:05 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Mendoza Stretches the Facts on the Commuter Tax

Mendoza isn’t wrong to point out so-called commuter taxes carry the risk of discouraging business and employment. But her sweeping generalization makes a much broader assumption that isn’t supported by the facts.
Jan 13, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Vallas Claims CPS Healthier Under His Watch

In his campaign for mayor, the former Chicago schools CEO portrays himself as a turnaround specialist who fixed a dire financial problem and grew enrollment. He has his figures straight, but the full story is somewhat more complicated.
Jan 6, 2019 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Did Police Shootings Plunge Under McCarthy's Leadership?

McCarthy, a Chicago mayoral candidate fired following the Laquan McDonald scandal, says that as police superintendent he oversaw a dramatic reduction in officer-involved shootings. His number is roughly accurate, but he stretches the facts by claiming total credit.
Dec 23, 2018 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: What’s Missing from Daley’s Property Tax Freeze Pledge

Daley is not promising to freeze property taxes overall, as his recent TV ad suggests. His freeze would apply only to taxes that directly fund city government, one-fourth of a typical Chicago tax bill.
Dec 16, 2018 2:00 PM

Fact-Check: The Trouble With Mendoza’s Attempt to Pin Illinois’ Budget Crisis on Daley

Fact-Check: Preckwinkle Misrepresents Mendoza’s Death Penalty Stand

Fact-Check: Chico's Soda Tax Swipe at Mendoza Falls Flat

Fact-Check: Did McCarthy Rein in Chicago's High Murder Rate?

Fact-Check: Did Chico Cut Waste and Slash Taxes During His City Colleges Stint?

Fact-Check: Preckwinkle Inflates Role in Shedding Light on McDonald Case

Fact-Check: Mendoza Stretches the Facts on the Commuter Tax

Fact-Check: Vallas Claims CPS Healthier Under His Watch

Fact-Check: Did Police Shootings Plunge Under McCarthy's Leadership?

Fact-Check: What’s Missing from Daley’s Property Tax Freeze Pledge