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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: Is the ACLU Really to Blame for Chicago’s Murder Spike?

Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently cited an academic study that claims a surge in deadly violence in Chicago was caused by ACLU pressure to end the city’s stop-and-frisk policing policy. Experts say the study is flawed and ignores other critical factors.
May 15, 2018 5:25 PM
PolitiFact

Vallas, Emanuel Point Fingers Over Chicago Teacher Pension Freefall

In just a few decades, the bottom line at the retirement fund for Chicago teachers sunk from healthy to sickly. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and a possible re-election rival, former schools CEO Paul Vallas, are now trading shots over which of them is to blame.
May 14, 2018 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: The Chicago Gun Lie Trump Won't Let Die

President Donald Trump headed to Dallas to speak to members of the National Rifle Association, repeating a familiar talking point about Chicago's gun laws.
May 4, 2018 10:05 PM
PolitiFact

Does Chicago Pay Tree Trimmers Top Dollar?

A political progressive who hopes to challenge Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s re-election complains the city is shorting vital services while lavishing six-figure compensation on many workers, including tree trimmers.
May 1, 2018 3:15 PM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Is Chicago Gun Violence Really ‘Killing’ the City’s Bottom Line?

Chicago’s former top cop, now a challenger to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s re-election, says murders and shootings cost city taxpayers more than is spent on all other programs combined. The claim is a wild exaggeration based on a misreading of research.
Apr 17, 2018 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Facts Bug New Pritzker Attack Line on Quincy Veterans’ Home

Democrat JB Pritzker is quick to blame rival Gov. Bruce Rauner for new health problems at the state facility for retired veterans. But the stomach virus is very different and harder to prevent than Legionnaires’ disease, which has killed 13 residents since 2015.
Apr 10, 2018 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

When It Comes to Illinois’ Deficit, How Bad is Bad?

There are lots of different ways to measure Illinois’ fiscal crisis, and politicians usually seize on the yardstick that best fits their partisan agendas.
Apr 3, 2018 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Rauner Cites Own Remarks as Proof of Outside Support for Election Night Claim

In a speech to supporters on primary night, Rauner claimed that “newspapers” were now likening his political rivals to the mafia. In reality, one newspaper columnist was quoting Rauner.
Mar 21, 2018 4:45 PM
PolitiFact

Governor Candidates' Job Claims Built on Shaky Foundation

Pritzker, Kennedy and Rauner all lay claim to superlative records of job creation in the business world. Proving it up? Not so much.
Mar 9, 2018 6:00 AM
PolitiFact

Fact Check: Rauner’s Head-spinning Claim That Arch Conservative Opponent Jeanne Ives Is A Mike Madigan Lackey

Rauner’s campaign ad said: “Who’s really behind Jeanne Ives’ campaign for governor? Mike Madigan’s corrupt insider machine. They’ve bankrolled her campaign with thousands in shady labor union cash, turning Ives into another Madigan lackey.”
Mar 5, 2018 6:00 AM

PolitiFact

Fact-Check: Is the ACLU Really to Blame for Chicago’s Murder Spike?

Vallas, Emanuel Point Fingers Over Chicago Teacher Pension Freefall

Fact-Check: The Chicago Gun Lie Trump Won't Let Die

Does Chicago Pay Tree Trimmers Top Dollar?

Fact-Check: Is Chicago Gun Violence Really ‘Killing’ the City’s Bottom Line?

Fact-Check: Facts Bug New Pritzker Attack Line on Quincy Veterans’ Home

When It Comes to Illinois’ Deficit, How Bad is Bad?

Rauner Cites Own Remarks as Proof of Outside Support for Election Night Claim

Governor Candidates' Job Claims Built on Shaky Foundation

Fact Check: Rauner’s Head-spinning Claim That Arch Conservative Opponent Jeanne Ives Is A Mike Madigan Lackey