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: 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
PolitiFact

Trump's Top 10 Falsehoods of 2018

PolitiFact National offers 10 "highlights" from the president's 2018 record of false statements or exaggerations.
Dec 11, 2018 11:53 AM
PolitiFact

PolitiFact's 2018 Lie of the Year

PolitiFact National names the online smears against the students who survived the Parkland shooting as its Lie of the Year for 2018.
Dec 11, 2018 11:52 AM
PolitiFact

Rauner Blames Democrats for Decades of Bipartisan Can-Kicking

Nearing the end of his term, Gov. Rauner pointed a finger at state Democrats over Illinois’ entrenched fiscal instability.
Dec 9, 2018 2:00 PM
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-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

Trump's Top 10 Falsehoods of 2018

PolitiFact's 2018 Lie of the Year

Rauner Blames Democrats for Decades of Bipartisan Can-Kicking

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