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: Are Chicago Residents Among the Nation’s Most Taxed?

Low-income Chicagoans face one of the highest tax burdens around. But Lightfoot’s sweeping generalization isn’t supported by the facts.
Dec 2, 2018 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Mendoza Claims Outsized Role in Ending Illinois Executions

While defending her criminal justice record, mayoral hopeful and state Comptroller Susana Mendoza claimed she cast the decisive vote as a state representative to abolish the death penalty in Illinois.
Nov 25, 2018 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Vallas’ Sticky Attack on Mendoza’s City Sticker Record

Mayoral hopeful Paul Vallas hammered one of his rivals, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, for touting her record on vehicle stickers as Chicago’s one-time city clerk. But his claim gets stuck on one of the facts.
Nov 18, 2018 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

The 2019 Chicago Mayor’s Race Is Heating Up: Here’s What We’re Watching

Still months away, the race for the city’s top office is already gaining steam. Here’s a recap of the issues would-be candidates are highlighting and the claims we’ve fact-checked so far.
Nov 11, 2018 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-checking the Fact-challenged Candidates for Illinois Governor

The race between the ultra-wealthy candidates has been marked by finger-pointing, scandal and transparency issues. We’ve fact-checked dubious claims by both.
Nov 4, 2018 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Casten Tax Claim Taxed By Facts

The Democratic congress hopeful says west suburban residents face tax sticker shock because of a GOP reform bill pushed by his opponent, U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam. Hyperbole and bad math undermine the claim.
Oct 31, 2018 5:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Roskam Fibs about Facts — and Fact Checks — of His Health Care Record

West suburban Republican cites a non-existent Washington Post article to rebut claims that he opposes strong insurance protections for those with pre-existing conditions.
Oct 28, 2018 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Sessions Wrong Again on Chicago Murder Spike Cause

The attorney general again blames a 2016 surge in gun-related murders on an agreement between the city and the ACLU to rein in police stops. But other big cities have imposed similar limits without murder spikes.
Oct 23, 2018 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Rauner, Pritzker Tax Disclosures Rich in Avoidance

Illinois’ wealthiest candidates for governor have disclosed little when it comes to their personal finances. But what they have revealed indicates they leverage tax code flexibility out of reach for most.
Oct 21, 2018 2:00 PM
PolitiFact

“Boys, Boys!”: Repetition Doesn’t Improve Rauner, Pritzker Sniping

The leading candidates for Illinois’ top office squared off in four debates in recent weeks, repeating misleading attacks and defenses on policy issues and personal scandals.
Oct 14, 2018 2:00 PM

PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Are Chicago Residents Among the Nation’s Most Taxed?

Fact-Check: Mendoza Claims Outsized Role in Ending Illinois Executions

Fact-Check: Vallas’ Sticky Attack on Mendoza’s City Sticker Record

The 2019 Chicago Mayor’s Race Is Heating Up: Here’s What We’re Watching

Fact-checking the Fact-challenged Candidates for Illinois Governor

Fact-Check: Casten Tax Claim Taxed By Facts

Fact-Check: Roskam Fibs about Facts — and Fact Checks — of His Health Care Record

Fact-Check: Sessions Wrong Again on Chicago Murder Spike Cause

Rauner, Pritzker Tax Disclosures Rich in Avoidance

“Boys, Boys!”: Repetition Doesn’t Improve Rauner, Pritzker Sniping