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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.

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PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Pritzker Called Illinois’ Workforce the Nation’s Most Educated. He’s Wrong.

In praising the state for its ability to attract business, Democratic governor candidate J.B. Pritzker stretches the truth about the educational accomplishments of Illinois’ workforce.
Aug 5, 2018 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: No, Chicago’s Pre-K Program Is Not in Decline

Overall preschool enrollment has dipped under Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. But that’s an incomplete measure of the city’s program, which has increased more in-demand, full-day opportunities substantially since he took office.
Jul 29, 2018 5:00 PM
PolitiFact

Rauner, Pritzker Shun Transparency Even When It Might Help

In refusing to release comprehensive tax information, wealthy rivals forego a possibility of debunking specious attacks about their finances.
Jul 22, 2018 5:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Was Rauner’s First Term a Dry Spell for Jobs? No.

Pritzker's running mate Stratton says employment flatlined under Rauner. But federal jobs data—and her campaign’s own response—tell a different story.
Jul 16, 2018 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Emanuel Wrong Again on Chicago Jobs

The mayor’s latest claim about Chicago’s workforce holds up no better to the facts than a similar one he made early this year. Not surprisingly, there were more workers and jobs in the city decades ago when the population was much greater.
Jul 9, 2018 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Illinois Lite Guv Calls Progressive Tax Idea Regressive

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s running mate claims a push by Democrats to replace Illinois’ flat-rate income tax with progressive rates that charge higher earners more would be the opposite of progressive and lead to higher taxes.
Jul 2, 2018 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Did Rauner Really Pour $1 Billion ‘Down the Drain’?

Illinois has racked up a mountain of interest penalties for paying bills late after a record budget impasse. The Democrat hoping to unseat Gov. Bruce Rauner says it’s all the Republican’s fault, but the facts tell a more complicated story.
Jun 25, 2018 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Is CPS the Most Understaffed District in Illinois?

The nation’s third-largest school district comes up short on staffing compared to the rest of the state, a fact that undercuts prevailing assumptions about bureaucratic bloat and raises questions about how district funds are being spent.
Jun 21, 2018 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Rauner’s Legionnaires’ Claim Misses the Mark—and the Point

Gov. Bruce Rauner continues to take heat for his response to repeated outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease at a state-run veterans’ home. Recently, he made an unsupported claim about what initiated the crisis that does nothing to refute those critiques.
Jun 18, 2018 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Oh, the Humanity! One-man Ouchy Rahm Emanuel, a Preschool Teacher?

Chicago’s tough-talking mayor is known for charging headfirst into politics in his 20s, but teaching preschoolers? We weren’t familiar with that one.
Jun 13, 2018 6:00 AM

PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Pritzker Called Illinois’ Workforce the Nation’s Most Educated. He’s Wrong.

Fact-Check: No, Chicago’s Pre-K Program Is Not in Decline

Rauner, Pritzker Shun Transparency Even When It Might Help

Fact-Check: Was Rauner’s First Term a Dry Spell for Jobs? No.

Fact-Check: Emanuel Wrong Again on Chicago Jobs

Fact-Check: Illinois Lite Guv Calls Progressive Tax Idea Regressive

Fact-Check: Did Rauner Really Pour $1 Billion ‘Down the Drain’?

Fact-Check: Is CPS the Most Understaffed District in Illinois?

Fact-Check: Rauner’s Legionnaires’ Claim Misses the Mark—and the Point

Oh, the Humanity! One-man Ouchy Rahm Emanuel, a Preschool Teacher?